Case: Tozer v. City of Portland

3:22-cv-01336 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: Sept. 6, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 6, 2022, ten people with mobility disabilities filed a lawsuit against the City of Portland, Oregon. The complaint alleged that the City was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide equal access to sidewalks to wheelchair users and other disabled community members, due to the sidewalks being covered in both debris and tent encampments for the unhoused. Plaintiffs sought to represent a class made up of 'all P…

On September 6, 2022, ten people with mobility disabilities filed a lawsuit against the City of Portland, Oregon. The complaint alleged that the City was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide equal access to sidewalks to wheelchair users and other disabled community members, due to the sidewalks being covered in both debris and tent encampments for the unhoused. Plaintiffs sought to represent a class made up of 'all Portland residents with mobility disabilities who use or will use sidewalks in the City'. Plaintiffs sought an injunction requiring the city to clean debris and clear encampments from all the city's sidewalks so that the sidewalks readily usable by individuals with mobility disabilities, as well as remedial measures to cure the City's failing to keep those sidewalks accessible in the past. To that end, the plaintiffs also sought an order from the court requiring the City to construct or purchase emergency shelters to house those unhoused individuals affected by the City's order. On September 7, 2022, Judge Karin J. Immergut was assigned to the case.

On December 9, 2022, the parties jointly moved to stay discovery and all pretrial deadlines to make a discovery plan. Judge Immergut granted this motion on December 12.

On June 6, 2023, defendants filed a notice that the parties had come to a settlement agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the City would set up a reporting system for campsites on sidewalks, using both 311 and a new, ADA specific reporting system that the City was tasked with making. Upon a report, the City agreed to prioritize the removal of campsites that substantially block sidewalks. The City also agreed not to provide tents or tarps to unhoused individual unless necessary or unless a tent was destroyed during a campsite removal, and for officials to discourage the placement of tents on the sidewalk. In addition, the City agreed to put up signs advising residents that we are not allowed to block sidewalks upon removal of an encampment. Finally, the City agreed to compensate the ten named plaintiffs for $5000 each. The City agreed to fund these endeavors to a minimum of $8 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year, then a minimum of $3 million in each of the four following fiscal years. The parties asked the court to retain jurisdiction to enforce the agreement through June 30, 2028.

On June 9, 2023, the parties jointly moved for retention of jurisdiction over the settlement, incorporation of the settlement agreement, and a determination of reasonable attorneys' fees. Judge Immergut granted the motion on June 13, 2023.

On August 4, 2023, plaintiffs moved for attorneys' fees in the amount of $716,734.00. After several months of motions practice, Judge Immergut partially granted plaintiffs' motion on November 30, 2023, awarding them $609,151.15.

There has been no activity on the case since November 30, 2023.

Summary Authors

Carlos Hurtado-Esteve (12/1/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64951977/parties/tozer-v-city-of-portland/


Judge(s)

Mosman, Michael W. (Oregon)

Attorney for Plaintiff

DiLorenzo, John A. (Oregon)

Stuckey, Aaron K. (Oregon)

Swift, Christopher J.K. (Oregon)

Attorney for Defendant

Sheffield, Naomi (Oregon)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

3:22-cv-01336

Class Action Complaint

Sept. 6, 2022

Sept. 6, 2022

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64951977/tozer-v-city-of-portland/

Last updated April 14, 2026, 5:15 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 6, 2022

Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $402 collected. Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-8644212 Jury Trial Requested: No. Filed by Philip Rhodes, Barbara Jacobsen, Lorien Ilena Welchoff, Steve Jackson, Pauline Long, Keith Martin, Tiana Tozer, Steven Rebischke, Dane Southard, Mark Barnhill against City of Portland (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Summons, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet). (DiLorenzo, John) Modified on 9/7/2022 to correct duplicate docket text language (sb). (Entered: 09/06/2022)

1 Proposed Summons Proposed Summons

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2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

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Clearinghouse
2 Sept. 7, 2022

Notice of Case Assignment to Judge Karin J. Immergut and Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. Discovery is to be completed by 1/5/2023. Joint Alternate Dispute Resolution Report is due by 2/6/2023. Pretrial Order is due by 2/6/2023. Ordered by Judge Karin J. Immergut. (sb) (Entered: 09/07/2022)

RECAP
3 Sept. 7, 2022

Summons Issued Electronically as to City of Portland. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. (sb) (Entered: 09/07/2022)

RECAP
4 Sept. 8, 2022

Notice of Case Reassignment: This case has been reassigned from Judge Karin J. Immergut to Judge Michael W. Mosman. (cw) (Entered: 09/08/2022)

RECAP
5 Sept. 12, 2022

Waiver of Service of Summons Returned Executed by All Defendants. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (DiLorenzo, John) (Entered: 09/12/2022)

RECAP
6 Sept. 15, 2022

Notice of Appearance of Elizabeth C. Woodard appearing on behalf of City of Portland. Filed by on behalf of City of Portland. (Woodard, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/15/2022)

RECAP
7 Sept. 15, 2022

Notice of Appearance of Naomi Sheffield appearing on behalf of City of Portland. Filed by on behalf of City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 09/15/2022)

RECAP
8 Oct. 26, 2022

Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint, 1 . Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 10/26/2022)

RECAP
9 Oct. 26, 2022

Declaration of Naomi Sheffield . Filed by City of Portland. (Related document(s): Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition 8 .) (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 10/26/2022)

RECAP
10 Oct. 28, 2022

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER. Settlement Conference is set for Friday, January 27, 2023 in Portland chambers before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. Plaintiffs are to arrive at 9:00 a.m. and Defendant at 9:30 a.m. Please see attached instructions. Signed on 10/28/2022 by Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. (gw) (Entered: 10/28/2022)

RECAP
11 Oct. 31, 2022

ORDER: Defendant's Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint 8 is GRANTED. The deadline for Defendant's responsive motion or pleading is extended from November 7, 2022, until January 31, 2023. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (joha) (Entered: 10/31/2022)

RECAP
Oct. 31, 2022

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition

12 Dec. 9, 2022

Joint Motion for Stay of Discovery and Pretrial Deadlines. Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 12/09/2022)

RECAP
13 Dec. 12, 2022

ORDER: The Parties Joint Motion to Stay Discovery and Pretrial Deadlines 12 is GRANTED. The deadlines set forth in the Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order 2 are stayed until the parties submit their discovery plan pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f). Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 12/12/2022)

RECAP
Dec. 12, 2022

Order on Motion for Stay

14 Jan. 18, 2023

Scheduling Order. Status Report is due by 2/17/2023. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 01/18/2023)

RECAP
Jan. 18, 2023

1 - Scheduling

15 Jan. 27, 2023

MINUTES of Proceedings: Settlement Conference held before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman on 1/27/2023. Continued Settlement Conference is set for Monday, 2/6/2023, at 01:30 PM in Portland Courtroom 13B before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. John A. DiLorenzo, Jr. and Aaron K. Stuckey present as counsel for plaintiffs. Robert L. Taylor, Elizabeth C. Woodard and Naomi Sheffield present as counsel for defendant. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman presiding. (gw) (Entered: 01/27/2023)

RECAP
Jan. 28, 2023

Settlement Conference

16 Jan. 31, 2023

Answer to 1 Complaint, and Affirmative Defenses. Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

RECAP
17 Feb. 6, 2023

MINUTES of Proceedings: Settlement Conference (continued from 1/27/2023) held before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman on 2/6/2023. Negotiations continue. John A. DiLorenzo, Jr. and Aaron K. Stuckey present as counsel for plaintiffs. Robert L. Taylor, Elizabeth C. Woodard and Naomi Sheffield present as counsel for defendant. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman presiding. (gw) (Entered: 02/06/2023)

RECAP
Feb. 7, 2023

Settlement Conference

18 Feb. 16, 2023

Joint Status Report . Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 02/16/2023)

RECAP
19 Feb. 17, 2023

ORDER: The Court has reviewed the Parties' Joint Status Report 18 . A subsequent status report is due by 3/24/2023. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (joha) Corrected Docket Text on 2/17/2023 (joha). (Entered: 02/17/2023)

RECAP
Feb. 17, 2023

1 - Scheduling

20 March 9, 2023

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER. Settlement Conference (continued from 2/6/2023) is set for Friday, 4/14/2023, from 09:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Portland Courtroom 13B and chambers before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. Please see attached instructions. Signed on 3/9/2023 by Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. (gw) (Entered: 03/09/2023)

RECAP
21 March 22, 2023

Joint Status Report by City of Portland. Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 03/22/2023)

RECAP
22 March 23, 2023

ORDER: The Court has reviewed the Parties' Joint Status Report 21 . A subsequent status report is due by May 5, 2023. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 03/23/2023)

RECAP
March 23, 2023

1 - Scheduling

23 April 14, 2023

MINUTES of Proceedings: Settlement Conference held before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman on 4/14/2023. Negotiations will continue. John A. DiLorenzo, Jr. and Aaron K. Stuckey present as counsel for plaintiffs. Robert L. Taylor, Elizabeth C. Woodard and Naomi Sheffield present as counsel for defendant. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman presiding. (gw) (Entered: 04/14/2023)

RECAP
April 14, 2023

Settlement Conference

24 May 5, 2023

Joint Status Report by City of Portland. Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 05/05/2023)

RECAP
25 May 8, 2023

The Court has reviewed the Parties Joint Status Report 24 . A subsequent status report is due by July 3, 2023. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 05/08/2023)

RECAP
May 8, 2023

1 - Scheduling

26 June 6, 2023

Notice of Settlement Filed by City of Portland. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 06/06/2023)

1 Exhibit 1

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RECAP
27 June 9, 2023

Joint Motion for Order for Retention of Jurisdiction, Incorporation of Settlement Agreement and Determination of Award of Plaintiffs' Reasonable Attorney Fees. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (DiLorenzo, John) (Entered: 06/09/2023)

RECAP
28 June 13, 2023

ORDER: The Parties Joint Motion for Retention of Jurisdiction, Incorporation of Settlement Agreement, and Determination of Award of Plaintiffs Reasonable Attorney Fees 27 is GRANTED. The Court will retain jurisdiction over the Parties for the purpose of adjudicating any disputes arising out of the Settlement Agreement. The deadline for Plaintiffs petition for attorney fees is set for August 4, 2023. The deadline for Defendants response is set for September 1, 2023. The deadline for Plaintiffs reply is set for September 18, 2023. The status report due July 3, 2023, see 25, is stricken. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 06/13/2023)

RECAP
June 13, 2023

Order on Motion for Order

29 Aug. 2, 2023

Unopposed Motion to File Excess Pages . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/02/2023)

RECAP
30 Aug. 4, 2023

Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
31 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of John DiLorenzo ISO Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
32 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of Aaron Stuckey ISO Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
33 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of Chris Swift ISO Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
34 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of Seth Tangman ISO Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
35 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of James T. McDermott ISO Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
36 Aug. 4, 2023

Declaration of Eric Fruits ISO Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 08/04/2023)

RECAP
37 Aug. 9, 2023

ORDER: Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion to File Over-Length Brief for Motion for Award of Attorney Fees [ECF 29] is GRANTED. Plaintiffs may submit a motion for attorney fees of 17 pages instead of the 10 pages LR 54-3(e) requires. Ordered by Judge Michael W. Mosman. (kms) (Entered: 08/09/2023)

RECAP
Aug. 9, 2023

Order on Motion to File Excess Pages

38 Sept. 1, 2023

Response in Opposition to Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs 30 . Filed by City of Portland. (Woodard, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/01/2023)

RECAP
39 Sept. 1, 2023

Declaration of Naomi Sheffield . Filed by City of Portland. (Related document(s): Response in Opposition to Motion 38 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 15, # 16 Exhibit 16) (Woodard, Elizabeth) (Entered: 09/01/2023)

RECAP
40 Sept. 19, 2023

Reply to Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs 30 . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 09/19/2023)

RECAP
41 Sept. 19, 2023

Second Declaration of James McDermott ISO Motion for Attorneys Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 09/19/2023)

RECAP
42 Sept. 19, 2023

Declaration of Steve Jackson ISO Motion for Attorneys Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 09/19/2023)

RECAP
43 Sept. 19, 2023

Declaration of Tiana Tozer ISO Motion for Attorneys Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 09/19/2023)

RECAP
44 Sept. 19, 2023

Second Declaration of John DiLorenzo ISO Motion for Attorneys Fees and Costs. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Attorney Fees 30 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit E, # 2 Exhibit F, # 3 Exhibit G, # 4 Exhibit H, # 5 Exhibit I, # 6 Exhibit J, # 7 Exhibit K, # 8 Exhibit L, # 9 Exhibit M) (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 09/19/2023)

1 Exhibit E

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2 Exhibit F

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3 Exhibit G

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4 Exhibit H

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5 Exhibit I

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6 Exhibit J

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7 Exhibit K

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8 Exhibit L

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9 Exhibit M

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RECAP
45 Oct. 23, 2023

Notice of Case Reassignment: This case has been reassigned from Judge Michael W. Mosman to Judge Adrienne Nelson. (eo) (Entered: 10/23/2023)

RECAP
46 Nov. 15, 2023

Sur-Response In Support of Objections to Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs 30 . Filed by City of Portland. (Sheffield, Naomi) (Entered: 11/15/2023)

RECAP
47 Nov. 21, 2023

ORDER - The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs' email request to file a sur-reply in support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs, ECF 30 . Ordered by Judge Adrienne Nelson (mja) (Entered: 11/21/2023)

RECAP
48 Nov. 21, 2023

Sur Sur-Reply to Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs 30, Reply to Motion 40 . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tangman, Seth) (Entered: 11/21/2023)

RECAP
Nov. 21, 2023

Order

49 Nov. 30, 2023

OPINION AND ORDER: Upon review, plaintiffs' Motion for Award of Attorney Fees and Costs 30 is GRANTED in part. Plaintiffs are AWARDED $609,151.15 in fees and costs. IT IS SO ORDERED. Signed on 11/30/2023 by Judge Adrienne Nelson. (joha) (Entered: 12/01/2023)

RECAP
50 Jan. 27, 2025

SCHEDULING ORDER. At the parties' request, SETTING a mediation session for Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Portland chambers before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. Plaintiffs are to arrive at 9:00 AM and Defendant at 9:20 AM. Mediation letters are due (by e-mail to SBpropdoc@ord.uscourts.gov) by noon on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. (gw) (Entered: 01/27/2025)

RECAP
51 Feb. 6, 2025

MINUTES of Proceedings: Mediation held before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman on 2/6/2025. John A. DiLorenzo, Jr. present as counsel for plaintiffs. Elizabeth C. Woodard and Naomi Sheffield present as counsel for defendant. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman presiding. (gw) (Entered: 02/06/2025)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oregon

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Public Benefits/Government Services

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 6, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Ten plaintiffs with mobility impairments from the city of Portland, OR.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling

Defendants

City

City of Portland, OR

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 3:22-cv-01336

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Amount Defendant Pays: 659,151.15

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Least restrictive environment

Mobility impairment

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Recommended Citation