Case: Center for Reproductive Rights v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1:19-cv-03068 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2019

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Center for Reproductive Rights, represented by private counsel, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on October 15, 2019. The litigation sought declaratory and injunctive relief to compel compliance with two Freedom of Information Act requests filed for documents relating to budget and staffing for the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. The case was originally assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss; it was reassigned to Judge Florence Y. Pan on October 1, 2021.

 On December 31, 2020, the parties informed the court they had reached an agreement for HHS to review and produce documents. HHS agreed to review 500 pages of documents per month. The case is ongoing, and the parties are filing status reports to the court every two months. The most recent was filed on February 28, 2022.

Summary Authors

Ben Marvin-Vanderryn (3/10/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16331918/parties/center-for-reproductive-rights-v-us-department-of-health-and-human/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Buttrick, Alice (District of Columbia)

Fisher, David O. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Braswell, Marina Utgoff (District of Columbia)

Curteman, Dedra Seibel (District of Columbia)

Horowitz, Brenda A. (District of Columbia)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:19-cv-03068

Complaint

The Center for Reproductive Rights v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Oct. 15, 2019

Oct. 15, 2019

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16331918/center-for-reproductive-rights-v-us-department-of-health-and-human/

Last updated April 16, 2026, 5:22 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Oct. 15, 2019

COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6447433) filed by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/15/2019)

RECAP
2 Oct. 17, 2019

SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/17/2019)

RECAP
Oct. 17, 2019

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Oct. 17, 2019

Case assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zmc)

3 Oct. 18, 2019

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/18/2019)

RECAP
4 Nov. 13, 2019

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Alice Buttrick, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-6560162. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Alice Buttrick, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 11/13/2019)

RECAP
Nov. 14, 2019

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Nov. 14, 2019

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice 4, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Alice Buttrick is hereby granted leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCrR 44.5(a). Click for Instructions. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/14/19. (lcrdm3, )

5 Nov. 15, 2019

ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .NOTICE of Appearance by Kalpana Kotagal on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Kotagal, Kalpana) Modified on 11/19/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 11/15/2019)

RECAP
6 Nov. 15, 2019

ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .NOTICE of Filing Proof of Service by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Service)(Kotagal, Kalpana) Modified on 11/19/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 11/15/2019)

RECAP
7 Nov. 18, 2019

NOTICE of Appearance by Marina Utgoff Braswell on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Braswell, Marina) (Entered: 11/18/2019)

RECAP
8 Nov. 18, 2019

ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Braswell, Marina) (Entered: 11/18/2019)

RECAP
Nov. 19, 2019

Notice of QC

Nov. 19, 2019

NOTICE OF ERROR re 5 Notice of Appearance; emailed to kkotagal@cohenmilstein.com, cc'd 4 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect header/caption/case number, 2. Invalid attorney signature, 3. Please refile document, 4. Alice Buttrick must use her own credentials to enter her appearance. The case number is also incorrect on the document. (ztd, )

Nov. 19, 2019

NOTICE OF ERROR re 6 Notice (Other); emailed to kkotagal@cohenmilstein.com, cc'd 4 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect event used, 2. Please refile document, 3. Refile using the events under Initial Pleadings and Service then select Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Attorney. (ztd, )

9 Nov. 20, 2019

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/24/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/23/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Service)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 11/20/2019)

RECAP
10 Nov. 20, 2019

NOTICE of Appearance by Alice Buttrick on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Buttrick, Alice) (Entered: 11/20/2019)

RECAP
Nov. 25, 2019

~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

Nov. 25, 2019

.Order

Nov. 25, 2019

MINUTE ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for an Initial Scheduling Conference on December 12, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom 21. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall confer in advance of the Initial Scheduling Conference on (1) whether any records can be released, and (2) the proper next steps in this litigation. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/25/19. (lcrdm3, )

Dec. 12, 2019

Scheduling Conference

Dec. 12, 2019

~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Dec. 12, 2019

.Order

Dec. 12, 2019

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Initial Scheduling Conference held on 12/12/2019. The parties are encouraged to continue to meet and confer. (Court Reporter: Lisa Griffith.) (kt)

Dec. 12, 2019

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' proposal at the initial scheduling conference, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before February 28, 2020 and that the parties shall thereafter file further joint status reports every two months on the final business day of the month. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/12/19. (lcrdm3, )

11 Feb. 25, 2020

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substituting for attorney Marina Utgoff Braswell (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 02/25/2020)

RECAP
12 Feb. 28, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 02/28/2020)

RECAP
13 April 30, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 04/30/2020)

RECAP
May 12, 2020

~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

May 12, 2020

.Order

May 12, 2020

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report 13, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a further joint status report on or before June 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 5/12/20. (lcrdm3, )

14 June 29, 2020

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- David O. Fisher, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-7280787. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 06/29/2020)

RECAP
15 June 30, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael A. Tilghman on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2020)

RECAP
16 June 30, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2020)

RECAP
17 July 10, 2020

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. Attorney Alice Buttrick terminated. (Buttrick, Alice) (Entered: 07/10/2020)

RECAP
Aug. 5, 2020

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice 14, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. David O. Fisher is hereby granted leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCrR 44.5(a). Click for Instructions. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 8/5/20. (lchw)

Aug. 5, 2020

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

18 Aug. 11, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by David O. Fisher on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Fisher, David) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

RECAP
19 Aug. 31, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 08/31/2020)

RECAP
20 Oct. 30, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/30/2020)

RECAP
21 Dec. 17, 2020

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. Attorney Brenda A. Gonzalez-Horowitz terminated. (Gonzalez-Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

RECAP
22 Dec. 31, 2020

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/31/2020)

RECAP
23 Feb. 26, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/26/2021)

RECAP
24 April 30, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 04/30/2021)

RECAP
25 June 30, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2021)

RECAP
26 Aug. 31, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 08/31/2021)

RECAP
Oct. 1, 2021

Case directly reassigned to Judge Florence Y. Pan. Judge Randolph D. Moss is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr)

Oct. 1, 2021

Case Assigned/Reassigned

27 Oct. 18, 2021

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Ryan A. Wheeler, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-8806687. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Dec. of Ryan A. Wheeler, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/18/2021)

RECAP
Oct. 19, 2021

MINUTE ORDER granting 27 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that Ryan A. Wheeler is admitted pro hac vice in this matter as counsel for Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Florence Y. Pan on 10/19/21. (lcaa)

Oct. 19, 2021

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

28 Oct. 20, 2021

NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan Wheeler on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Wheeler, Ryan) (Entered: 10/20/2021)

RECAP
29 Oct. 29, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 10/29/2021)

RECAP
30 Dec. 29, 2021

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Fisher, David) (Entered: 12/29/2021)

RECAP
31 Feb. 28, 2022

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/28/2022)

RECAP
32 April 29, 2022

NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

RECAP
33 April 29, 2022

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

RECAP
34 June 30, 2022

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2022)

RECAP
35 July 5, 2022

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

RECAP
36 Aug. 31, 2022

Status Report

RECAP
Sept. 23, 2022

Notice (Other)

37 Nov. 1, 2022

Notice of Substitution of Counsel

RECAP
38 Nov. 1, 2022

Status Report

RECAP
39 Dec. 28, 2022

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

RECAP
40 Dec. 29, 2022

Status Report

RECAP
Feb. 24, 2023

Case Assigned/Reassigned

41 Feb. 27, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
42 Feb. 28, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
43 Feb. 28, 2023

Withdraw

RECAP
March 1, 2023

Order on Motion to Withdraw

44 April 28, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
45 June 30, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
46 Aug. 2, 2023

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

RECAP
Aug. 3, 2023

Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status

47 Aug. 31, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
48 Oct. 31, 2023

Status Report

RECAP
49 Jan. 9, 2024

Status Report

RECAP
50 Feb. 21, 2024

Stipulation of Dismissal

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 1.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 15, 2019

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Center for Reproductive Rights

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Center for Reproductive Rights

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:19-cv-03068

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Records Disclosure

Recommended Citation