E.K. v. Department of Defense Education Activity
| E.K., by and through parent and next friend Lindsey Keeley, S.K., by and through parent and next friend Lindsey Keeley, O.H., by and through parent and next friend Jessica Henninger, S.H., by and through parent and next friend Jessica Henninger, H.H., by and through parent and next friend Jessica Henninger, E.G., by and through parent and next friend Megan Jebeles, E.Y., by and through parent and next friend Anna Young, C.Y., by and through parent and next friend Anna Young, L.K., by and through parent and next friend Anna Kenkel and M.T., by and through parent and next friend Natalie Tolley |
| DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY, DR. BETH SCHIAVINO-NARVAEZ, in her official capacity as Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity and PETER BRIAN HEGSETH, in his official capacity as Secretary of Defense |
| ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM, DEFENDING EDUCATION, FREEDOM TO READ FOUNDATION, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, FEDERAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW, EDUCATION LAW CENTER, VET VOICE FOUNDATION, THE AUTHOR'S GUILD, FRED T. KOREMATSU CENTER FOR LAW & EQUALITY, MACMILLAN PUBLISHING GROUP LLC, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, LLC, NATIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION, SECURE FAMILIES INITIATIVE, PFLAG, INC. and PEN AMERICAN CENTER |
| 25-2497 |
| December 22, 2025 |
| U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit |
| Other Civil Rights |
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| Filing 66 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Mara Gassmann for Pen American Center in 25-2497. [1001992442] [25-2497, 26-1002] Mara Gassmann [Entered: 06/08/2026 10:11 AM] |
| Filing 65 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Shaheena A. Simons for Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990995] [25-2497, 26-1002] Shaheena Simons [Entered: 06/04/2026 01:04 PM] |
| Filing 64 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Brittnee Bui for National Academy of Education in 25-2497. [1001990858] [25-2497, 26-1002] Brittnee Bui [Entered: 06/04/2026 11:32 AM] |
| Filing 63 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Amanda Mangaser Savage for National Academy of Education in 25-2497. [1001990856] [25-2497, 26-1002] Amanda Savage [Entered: 06/04/2026 11:29 AM] |
| Filing 62 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Mark Rosenbaum for National Academy of Education in 25-2497. [1001990852] [25-2497, 26-1002] Mark Rosenbaum [Entered: 06/04/2026 11:25 AM] |
| Filing 61 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by National Academy of Education in 25-2497. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? No [1001990849] [25-2497, 26-1002] Mark Rosenbaum [Entered: 06/04/2026 11:22 AM] |
| Filing 60 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Penguin Random House, LLC in 25-2497, 26-1002. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? Yes [1001990787] [25-2497, 26-1002] Marc Fuller [Entered: 06/04/2026 10:53 AM] |
| Filing 59 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Macmillan Publishing Group LLC in 25-2497, 26-1002. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? Yes [1001990779] [25-2497, 26-1002] Marc Fuller [Entered: 06/04/2026 10:51 AM] |
| Filing 58 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Marc A. Fuller for Macmillan Publishing Group LLC, Penguin Random House, LLC and The Author's Guild in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990736] [25-2497, 26-1002] Marc Fuller [Entered: 06/04/2026 10:27 AM] |
| Filing 57 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Avatara A. Smith-Carrington for PFLAG, Inc. and Secure Families Initiative in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990700] [25-2497, 26-1002] Avatara Smith-Carrington [Entered: 06/04/2026 10:02 AM] |
Filing 56
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief [National Academy of Education, Secure Families Initiative, PFLAG, Inc., Pen American Center]. Appearance form due on 06/08/2026 from Mara Gassmann, Mark Dale Rosenbaum and Avatara Antoinette Smith-Carrington. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? N/A. Appearance Form filed? N. Copies to all parties. [1001990683] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/04/2026 09:48 AM]
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| Filing 55 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Navin Pant for Education Law Center and Federal Education Association in 26-1002. [1001990630] [25-2497, 26-1002] Navin Pant [Entered: 06/04/2026 09:21 AM] |
| Filing 54 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Michael J. Pillera for Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990614] [25-2497, 26-1002] Michael Pillera [Entered: 06/04/2026 09:09 AM] |
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Filing 49
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief [The Authors Guild, Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC and Penguin Random House LLC] Appearance form due on 06/08/2026 from Marc Aaron Fuller. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? N/A. Appearance Form filed? N. Copies to all parties. [1001990433] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 06/04/2026 by RP] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 04:33 PM]
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| Filing 53 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by PEN American Center, Inc. (PEN America). . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001990502] [25-2497, 26-1002] Mara Gassmann [Entered: 06/03/2026 11:59 PM] |
| Filing 52 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Secure Families Initiative and PFLAG, Inc.. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001990493] [25-2497, 26-1002] Avatara Smith-Carrington [Entered: 06/03/2026 06:36 PM] |
| Filing 51 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by National Academy of Education on behalf of Plaintiffs-Appellees / Cross-Appellants. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001990490] [25-2497, 26-1002] Mark Rosenbaum [Entered: 06/03/2026 06:14 PM] |
| Filing 50 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Dariely Rodriguez for Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990462] [25-2497, 26-1002] Dariely Rodriguez [Entered: 06/03/2026 04:50 PM] |
| Filing 48 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by The Authors Guild, Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC and Penguin Random House LLC, Amici Curiae Supporting Plaintiffs-Appellees. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001990398] [25-2497, 26-1002] Marc Fuller [Entered: 06/03/2026 04:17 PM] |
| Filing 47 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Robert Seungchul Chang for Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law & Equality and Vet Voice Foundation in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001990148] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 02:05 PM] |
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Filing 46
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief [Vet Voice Foundation and Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law & Equality]. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? N/A. Appearance Form filed? Y. Copies to all parties. [1001990144] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 02:02 PM]
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| Filing 45 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Vet Voice Foundation and Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality; Amicus Supporting Appellee-Plaintiff; Amicus Supporting Appellant-Plaintiff. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001990109] [25-2497, 26-1002] Robert Chang [Entered: 06/03/2026 01:25 PM] |
| Filing 44 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Education Law Center, Federal Education Association, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and National Education Association in 25-2497. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? No [1001989956] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 11:27 AM] |
| Filing 43 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Navin Pant for National Education Association. [1001989947] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 06/03/2026 by RP] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 11:24 AM] |
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Filing 42
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief [National Education Association, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Federal Education Association, and Education Law Center]. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? Y. Appearance Form filed? Y. Appearance forms due 06/08/2026. Copies to all parties. Mailed to:Robert Kim,Katrina Reichert, Richard Tarr. [1001989935] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 06/03/2026 by RP - order corrected to reflect need for additional appearance of counsel forms] RP [Entered: 06/03/2026 11:18 AM]
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| Filing 41 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Amici curiae National Education Association, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Federal Education Association, and Education Law Center. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001989872] [25-2497, 26-1002] Navin Pant [Entered: 06/03/2026 10:34 AM] |
| Filing 40 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Owen R. Wolfe for American Association of School Librarians and Freedom to Read Foundation in 25-2497. [1001989444] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/02/2026 02:53 PM] |
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Filing 39
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief [Freedom to Read Foundation and American Association of School Librarians]. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? N/A. Appearance Form filed? Y. Copies to all parties. [1001989439] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 06/02/2026 02:51 PM]
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| Filing 38 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Freedom to Read Foundation and American Association of School Librarians. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001989313] [25-2497, 26-1002] Owen Wolfe [Entered: 06/02/2026 01:05 PM] |
| Filing 37 BRIEF by C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497, 26-1002. Type of Brief: OPENING/RESPONSE. Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001985953] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 05/28/2026 by AB to modify docket text; Edited 05/28/26 by RP - disclosure statement added] Emerson Sykes [Entered: 05/27/2026 03:12 PM] |
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Filing 36
ORDER filed granting Motion to extend filing time [ # 35 ] Number of days granted: 30. Opening/Response Brief Due: 05/27/2026. Response/Reply Brief Due 06/26/2026. No paper copies required unless case has been tentatively calendared or copies otherwise ordered. Copies to all parties. [1001960748] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/15/2026 08:35 AM]
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| Filing 35 MOTION by C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497, 26-1002 to extend filing time for opening/response brief until May 27, 2026.. Date and method of service: 04/14/2026 ecf. [1001960647] [25-2497, 26-1002] Emerson Sykes [Entered: 04/14/2026 04:41 PM] |
| Filing 34 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Defending Education in 25-2497, 26-1002. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? No [1001955554] [25-2497, 26-1002] John Connolly [Entered: 04/06/2026 11:29 AM] |
| Filing 33 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Ryan M. Proctor for Defending Education in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001955543] [25-2497, 26-1002] Ryan Proctor [Entered: 04/06/2026 11:26 AM] |
| Filing 32 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by John Michael Connolly for Defending Education in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001955411] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/06/2026 10:11 AM] |
| Filing 31 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL for Jacob P. Warner for Alliance Defending Freedom in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001955410] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/06/2026 10:10 AM] |
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Filing 30
ORDER filed granting filing of amicus curiae brief by ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM and DEFENDING EDUCATION. Disclosure Statement filed (if corporate amicus)? N/A. Appearance Form filed? Y. Copies to all parties. [1001955408] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/06/2026 10:07 AM]
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| Filing 29 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Defending Education, Amicus Curiae. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001954633] [25-2497, 26-1002] John Connolly [Entered: 04/02/2026 06:03 PM] |
| Filing 28 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by Alliance Defending Freedom as Amicus Curiae. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001954628] [25-2497] Jacob Warner [Entered: 04/02/2026 05:10 PM] |
| Filing 27 Receipt of paper copy of APPENDIX filed at [ # 24 ] by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497, 26-1002. Total number of volumes (including any sealed): [1]. Total number of pages in all volumes: [284]. Total number of sealed volumes: 0. Sufficient? Yes. CD/DVD/Other exhibit? No. Number of copies: [1]. Received by clerk date: 04/01/2026. [1001953692] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/01/2026 02:21 PM] |
| Filing 26 Receipt of paper copy of OPENING BRIEF filed at [ # 25 ] by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Number of pages: [60]. Sufficient: Yes. Number of copies: [1]. Received by clerk date: 04/01/2026. [1001953690] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 04/01/2026 02:20 PM] |
| Filing 25 Corrected BRIEF by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Type of Brief: OPENING. . Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001951691] [25-2497, 26-1002] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 03/30/2026 10:57 AM] |
| Filing 24 Corrected JOINT APPENDIX by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Digital media exhibit volume? No. [1001951689] [25-2497, 26-1002] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 03/30/2026 10:57 AM] |
| Filing 23 Docket correction requested from Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Re: [ # 22 ] appendix. Access to appendix has been restricted to case participants. [1001951015] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 03/27/2026 02:31 PM] |
| Filing 22 (ENTRY RESTRICTED) JOINT APPENDIX by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Digital media exhibit volume? No. [1001950807] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 03/30/2026 by RP- corrected at ECF #24 ] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 03/27/2026 12:06 PM] |
| Filing 21 (ENTRY RESTRICTED) BRIEF by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. Type of Brief: OPENING.. Do any cases pending in this court or the Supreme Court of the United States raise similar issues? NO.. [1001950805] [25-2497, 26-1002]--[Edited 03/30/2026 by RP - corrected at ECF #24] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 03/27/2026 12:04 PM] |
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Filing 20
ORDER filed granting Motion to extend filing time [ # 19 ] Number of days granted: 14. Opening brief and appendix due 03/27/2026. Opening/Response Brief Due: 04/27/2026. Response/Reply Brief Due 05/27/2026.. No paper copies required unless case has been tentatively calendared or copies otherwise ordered. Copies to all parties. [1001938036] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 03/04/2026 04:46 PM]
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| Filing 19 MOTION by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497, 26-1002 to extend filing time for opening brief and appendix until March 27, 2026.. Date and method of service: 03/04/2026 ecf. [1001937801] [25-2497, 26-1002] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 03/04/2026 02:43 PM] |
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Filing 18
ORDER filed granting Motion to extend filing time [ # 17 ] Number of days granted: 30. Opening brief and appendix due 03/13/2026. Opening/Response Brief Due: 04/13/2026. Response/Reply Brief Due 05/13/2026. No paper copies required unless case has been tentatively calendared or copies otherwise ordered. Copies to all parties. [1001921179] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 02/04/2026 02:20 PM]
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| Filing 17 MOTION by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497, 26-1002 to extend filing time for opening brief and appendix until March 13, 2026.. Date and method of service: 02/04/2026 ecf. [1001920886] [25-2497, 26-1002] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 02/04/2026 11:39 AM] |
| Filing 16 DOCKETING STATEMENT by C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K... [1001911122] [26-1002] Emerson Sykes [Entered: 01/16/2026 04:46 PM] |
| Filing 15 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497, 26-1002. Was any question on Disclosure Form answered yes? No [1001911112] [25-2497, 26-1002] Emerson Sykes [Entered: 01/16/2026 04:41 PM] |
| Filing 14 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Corey M. Shapiro for C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001904054] [25-2497, 26-1002] Corey Shapiro [Entered: 01/06/2026 03:59 PM] |
| Filing 13 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Emerson J. Sykes for L.K., L.K., S.K., S.H., O.H., M.T., H.H., E.Y., E.K., E.G. and C.Y. in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001904008] [25-2497, 26-1002] Emerson Sykes [Entered: 01/06/2026 03:16 PM] |
| Filing 12 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Daniel Tenny for Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001903628] [25-2497, 26-1002] Daniel Tenny [Entered: 01/06/2026 11:05 AM] |
| Filing 11 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Maxwell A. Baldi for Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez in 25-2497. [1001903519] [25-2497, 26-1002] Maxwell Baldi [Entered: 01/06/2026 10:07 AM] |
| Filing 10 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Eden Heilman for C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497, 26-1002. [1001903181] [25-2497, 26-1002] Eden Heilman [Entered: 01/05/2026 04:01 PM] |
| Filing 9 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by William E. Sharp for C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497. [1001903142] [25-2497, 26-1002] William Sharp [Entered: 01/05/2026 03:23 PM] |
| Filing 8 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Matthew W. Callahan for C.Y., E.G., E.K., E.Y., H.H., L.K., L.K., M.T., O.H., S.H. and S.K. in 25-2497. [1001903060] [25-2497, 26-1002] Matthew Callahan [Entered: 01/05/2026 02:10 PM] |
| Filing 7 DOCKETING STATEMENT by Department of Defense Education Activity, Peter Brian Hegseth and Beth Schiavino-Narvaez.. [1001902610] [25-2497] Matthew Mezger [Entered: 01/05/2026 07:11 AM] |
| Filing 6 APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL by Matthew J. Mezger for Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Peter Brian Hegseth and Department of Defense Education Activity in 25-2497. [1001902609] [25-2497, 26-1002] Matthew Mezger [Entered: 01/05/2026 07:10 AM] |
| Filing 5 Amended BRIEFING ORDER filed. Mailed to: Corey Shapiro and William E. Sharp. No paper copies required unless case has been tentatively calendared or copies otherwise ordered. All filings must comply with # Appendix Pagination & Brief Citation Guide . [1001902267] Opening Brief and Appendix due 02/11/2026. Opening/Response Brief Due: 03/13/2026. Response/Reply Brief Due 04/13/2026.. [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 01/02/2026 01:11 PM] |
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Filing 4
ORDER filed consolidating case 26-1002 with 25-2497. Cross-appeal appellant: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY; DR. BETH SCHIAVINO-NARVAEZ, in her official capacity as Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity; PETER BRIAN HEGSETH, in his official capacity as Secretary of Defense. Copies to all parties. Mailed to: Corey Shapiro and William E. Sharp. [1001902258] [25-2497, 26-1002] RP [Entered: 01/02/2026 01:06 PM]
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| Filing 3 BRIEFING ORDER filed. Mailed to: Corey Shapiro and William E. Sharp. No paper copies required unless case has been tentatively calendared or copies otherwise ordered. All filings must comply with # Appendix Pagination & Brief Citation Guide . [1001898322] Opening Brief and Appendix due 02/02/2026. Response Brief due 03/02/2026. [25-2497] RP [Entered: 12/22/2025 03:40 PM] |
| Filing 2 DOCKETING NOTICE issued Re: [ # 1 ] case. Originating case number: 1:25-cv-00637-PTG-IDD. Mailed to: Corey Shapiro and William E. Sharp. [1001898318] [25-2497] RP [Entered: 12/22/2025 03:38 PM] |
| Filing 1 Case docketed. Originating case number: 1:25-cv-00637-PTG-IDD. Case manager: RPhillips. [1001898316] [25-2497] RP [Entered: 12/22/2025 03:36 PM] |
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