WIDAKUSWARA et al v. LAKE et al
| District Of Columbia District Court | |
| Judge: | Royce C Lamberth |
| Case #: | 1:25-cv-01015 |
| Nature of Suit | 899 Other Statutes - Administrative Procedure Act/Review or Appeal of Agency Decision |
| Cause | 05:551 Administrative Procedure Act |
| Case Filed: | Apr 04, 2025 |
| Case in other court: | New York Southern, 1:25-cv-02390 |
| Last checked: Friday Apr 04, 2025 5:09 PM EDT |
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Amicus
REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
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Represented By
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Defendant
KARI LAKE
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Defendant
VICTOR MORALES
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Defendant
U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA
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Plaintiff
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE)
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME)
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA)
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
JOHN DOES 1-4
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
JESSICA JERREAT
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
KATHRYN NEEPER
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC.
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
THE NEWSGUILD-CWA
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA
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Represented By
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GPO
Mar 24 2025
ORDER: Counsel for the parties are directed to appear for a hearing on Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order on March 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 318 of the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, New York, NY 10007. Any responsive submission on behalf of Defendants shall be filed by March 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., notwithstanding the deadline discussed during the March 24, 2025 telephone conference. SO ORDERED. ( Responses due by 3/27/2025, Motion Hearing set for 3/28/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 318, Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, New York, NY 10007 before Judge J. Paul Oetken.) (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 3/24/2025) (vfr)[Transferred from New York Southern on 4/4/2025.] |
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GPO
Mar 28 2025
OPINION AND ORDER For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order is GRANTED. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pending the hearing and determination of Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, Defendants, and those acting in concert with them, are temporarily enjoined from taking any further actions to implement or effectuate the March 14, 2025 Executive Order entitled "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy" as to USAGM and the March 15, 2025 email issued to all VOA staff, or take any action to reduce USAGM's workforce (whether employees, contractors, or grantees), included but not limited to (i) proceeding with any further attempt to terminate, reduce-in-force, place on leave, or furlough any USAGM employee, or contractor, (ii) terminating (or proceeding with terminating as announced) any USAGM grant or contract or proceeding with terminating any USAGM Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) who received notice after March 14, 2025 that their contract would be terminated, including but not limited to John Doe 3 and John Doe 4 who received notice that their contracts would be terminated on March 31, 2025, or (iii) closing any USAGM office or requiring employees or contractors in overseas offices to return to the United States. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 3/28/2025) (jca) [Transferred from New York Southern on 4/4/2025.] |
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GPO
Apr 04 2025
ORDER: For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' motion to transfer venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a) is GRANTED. Notwithstanding the transfer to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the temporary restraining order issued by this Court on March 28, 2025 (ECF No. 54) remains in full force and effect unless and until modified, extended, or vacated by the transferee court. See, e.g., Khalil v. Joyce, ---F. Supp. 3d. ---, No. 25-CV-1935, 2025 WL 849803, at *14 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2025) (ordering that a stay of removal remain in place until a transferee court modified it); Perficient, Inc. v. Priore, No. 16-CV-249, 2016 WL 866090, at *6 (E.D. Mo. Mar. 7, 2016) ("As this Court has jurisdiction over the defendant, the Temporary Restraining Order remains in full force and effect [after transfer] until its scheduled expiration date."); Valassis Commc'ns, Inc. v. News Corp., No. 13-14654, 2017 WL 4230646, at *5 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 25, 2017) (concurrently entering a preliminary injunction and granting a motion to transfer); Vendavo, Inc. v. Long, 397 F. Supp. 3d 1115, 1148-49 (N.D. Ill. 2019) (same). The Clerk of Court is directed to transfer this case to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Further, the Clerk shall effectuate the transfer of the case immediately, notwithstanding the seven-day period provided for in Local Rule 83.1, which is hereby waived. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 4/4/2025) (vfr) [Transferred from New York Southern on 4/4/2025.] |
| Docket last updated: 2 hours ago |
| Monday, April 14, 2025 | ||
| 89 | 89
respm
Memorandum in opposition to motion
Mon 04/14 9:58 PM
Memorandum in opposition to re73 Motion to Vacate filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC., PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit A
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| 88 | 88
respm
Response to (non-motion) Document
Mon 04/14 9:19 PM
RESPONSE re17 Memorandum, filed by KARI LAKE, VICTOR MORALES, U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.(Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit 1, John Doe 3 Contract (Redacted),
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Att: 2
Exhibit 2, John Doe 4 Contract (Redacted),
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Att: 3
Exhibit 3, USAGM Personal Services Contractor Handbook,
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Att: 4
Exhibit 4, Declaration of Crystal Thomas
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| 87 | 87
notice
Notice of Appearance
Mon 04/14 10:38 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by Georgina C. Yeomans on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) (Yeomans, Georgina) (Main Document 87 replaced on 4/14/2025) (zdp) |
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| Friday, April 11, 2025 | ||
| 86 | 86
2
pgs
order
Order on Motion to Clarify
Fri 04/11 4:31 PM
ORDE re:85 Motion to Clarify: The current Temporary Restraining Order, ECF No. 54, is in place until Friday, April 18, 2025. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 4/11/2025. (lcrcl3) |
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| 85 | 85
motion
Clarify
Fri 04/11 3:25 PM
Emergency MOTION to Clarify or Extend Temporary Restraining Order by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC., PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit A,
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Att: 2
Exhibit B
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notice
Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status
Fri 04/11 8:39 AM
NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re81 NOTICE of Appearance by David A. Schulz on behalf of JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA (Schulz, David) (Main Document 81 replaced on 4/10/2025) (zdp).. Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 4/18/2025. (zapb) |
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| Thursday, April 10, 2025 | ||
| 84 | 84
notice
Notice of Appearance
Thu 04/10 5:02 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Skye Perryman on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), NEWSGUILD-CWA (Perryman, Skye) |
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| 83 | 83
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Thu 04/10 5:00 PM
MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Kristin Bateman, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11606650. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), NEWSGUILD-CWA.(Thurston, Robin) |
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Att: 1
Declaration,
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Att: 2
Exhibit
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| 82 | 82
notice
Notice of Appearance
Thu 04/10 4:39 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), NEWSGUILD-CWA (Thurston, Robin) |
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| 81 | 81
notice
Notice of Appearance
Thu 04/10 11:42 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by David A. Schulz on behalf of JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA (Schulz, David) (Main Document 81 replaced on 4/10/2025) (zdp) |
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| 79 | 79
misc
Proposed Briefing Schedule
Thu 04/10 9:47 AM
PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC., PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit A - Email Correspondence Between Counsel
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notice
Notice of Error
Thu 04/10 8:54 AM
NOTICE OF ERROR regarding77 MOTION for Briefing Schedule . The following error(s) need correction: Incorrect format (Letter)- correspondence is not permitted (LCvR 5.1(a)). Please refile. (zdp) |
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notice
Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status
Thu 04/10 9:14 AM
NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re74 NOTICE of Appearance by David Z. Seide on behalf of JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA (Seide, David). Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 4/17/2025. (zapb) |
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notice
Notice of Hearing on Motion
Thu 04/10 5:16 PM
NOTICE of Hearing on17 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing set for 4/17/2025 at 11:30 PM in Courtroom 15 (In Person) before Judge Royce C. Lamberth. (smc) |
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order
.Order ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings
Thu 04/10 7:15 PM
MINUTE ORDER: the parties will brief the Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Motion to Dissolve Temporary Restraining Order concurrently. Oppositions due by 4/14/2025. Replies due by 4/16/2025 at 12:00 pm. Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 4/17/2025 at 11:30 AM in Courtroom 15- In Person before Judge Royce C. Lamberth. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 4/10/2025. (lcrcl3) |
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| Wednesday, April 09, 2025 | ||
| 78 | 78
misc
Proposed Briefing Schedule
Wed 04/09 11:04 PM
PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by KARI LAKE, VICTOR MORALES, U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA. (Johnson, Stephanie) |
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| 77 | 77
motion
Briefing Schedule
Wed 04/09 10:46 PM
MOTION for Briefing Schedule by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit A - Email Exchange Between Counsel
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| 76 | 76
notice
Notice of Appearance
Wed 04/09 1:11 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Norman Larry Eisen on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC. (Eisen, Norman) (Main Document 76 replaced on 4/9/2025) (zdp) |
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| 75 | 75
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Wed 04/09 12:22 PM
MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Debra L. Greenberger, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11601632. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Declaration of Debra L. Greenberger,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing
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| 74 | 74
notice
Notice of Appearance
Wed 04/09 10:51 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by David Z. Seide on behalf of JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA (Seide, David) |
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| Tuesday, April 08, 2025 | ||
| 73 | 73
motion
Vacate
Tue 04/08 9:21 PM
MOTION to Vacate54 Memorandum & Opinion,,,,, and Dissolve March 28, 2025 Temporary Restraining Order by KARI LAKE, VICTOR MORALES, U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA. (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) |
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| 72 | 72
notice
Notice of Appearance
Tue 04/08 7:46 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Stephanie R. Johnson on behalf of KARI LAKE, VICTOR MORALES, U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA (Johnson, Stephanie) |
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| 71 | 71
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Tue 04/08 6:47 PM
MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Nicholas Bourland, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11600261. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Declaration Declaration of Nicholas Bourland,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing
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| 70 | 70
order
.Order ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
Tue 04/08 6:20 PM
ORDER: Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 4/9/2025. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 4/8/2025. (lcrcl3) |
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| 69 | 69
notice
Notice of Appearance
Tue 04/08 1:49 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Brenda A. Gonzalez Horowitz on behalf of All Defendants (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) |
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| 68 | 68
utility
Case Assigned/Reassigned
Tue 04/08 11:51 AM
Case directly reassigned to Judge Royce C. Lamberth as related. Judge Carl J. Nichols is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr) |
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| 67 | 67
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Tue 04/08 10:13 AM
MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Andrew G. Celli, Jr., Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11597636. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA.(Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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Att: 1
Declaration Declaration of Andrew G. Celli, Jr.,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing
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notice
Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status
Tue 04/08 1:24 PM
NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re63 NOTICE of Appearance by Georgina C. Yeomans on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) (Yeomans, Georgina). Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 4/15/2025. (zapb) |
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| Monday, April 07, 2025 | ||
| 66 | 66
notice
Notice of Appearance
Mon 04/07 6:41 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel M. Eisenberg on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE), AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AFSA), JOHN DOES 1-4, JESSICA JERREAT, KATHRYN NEEPER, NEWSGUILD-CWA, PATSY WIDAKUSWARA (Eisenberg, Daniel) |
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| 65 | 65
notice
Notice of Appearance
Mon 04/07 10:43 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Stark Blumin on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) (Blumin, Matthew) (Main Document 65 replaced on 4/7/2025) (zdp). (Main Document 65 replaced on 4/7/2025) (zdp) |
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