Jenner and Block v. Department of Justice
Case page of Jenner and Block v. Department of Justice.
Overview[edit]
Case Summary:
The law firm Jenner & Block sues to block an Executive Order [1] targeting them.
Case Status:
The District of D.C. ruled in favor of Jenner & Block, blocking the EO. The DoJ has appealed that ruling to the D.C. Circuit, where the briefing schedule is ongoing. The EO remains blocked, for now.
Upcoming Events:
| Date | Summary | Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-21 | First round of statements due from both parties to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-09-05 | First round of dispositive motions due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
Topics Involved:
Courts Involved:
| Court Level | Court | Docket Number | Judge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Courts of Appeals | D.C. Circuit | 25-5265 | Not Available |
| Federal Trial Courts | District of D.C. | 1:25-cv-00916 | John D. Bates |
Detailed Timeline[edit]
List of all events in this case:
| Date | Summary | Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-28 | Jenner & Block files a complaint, requesting the court "declare the Executive Order unconstitutional" and "immediately[,]... preliminarily, then permanently enjoin the implementation of the Order." SOURCE NEWS | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-28 | Jenner & Block formally moves for a Temporary Restraining Order enjoining at least Sections 1, 3, & 5 of the Order, since "the injury to Jenner and its clients is ongoing, severe, and worsening... [and] there is no public interest in implementing an unlawful executive order, while there is substantial public interest in ensuring that the government abide[s] by the law." (Citations consolidated.) SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-28 | Judge Bates holds a hearing on the motion for a TRO. Transcript: SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-28 | The District Court grants the TRO, ruling that the defendents are "enjoined from implementing Sections 3 and 5 ... [and] from using the statements laid out in Section 1 of the Executive Order ... until further notice." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-08 | Jenner & Block moves for summary judgement & permanent relief because "the order is unconstitutional ... [and] declaratory relief and a permanent injunction are necessary to prevent ongoing and future irreparable harm." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-08 | The DoJ moves to dismiss the case, arguing one section of the EO at a time, that the Executive:
(1) "has a right to speak," (2) "is entitled to great deference" on security clearance review, (3) can use "the procurement power to advance social policy", (4) can direct the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission "to investigate whether ... employers [are] complying with civil rights law," (5) issue guidance on "the parameters of access to [federal government] staff, offices, and employment." SOURCE |
District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-17 | The DoJ opposes Jenner & Block's motion for summary judgement. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-28 | The District Court holds a hearing on the motions for summary judgement, for permanent injunction, and to dismiss. | District of D.C. |
| 2025-05-14 | Jenner & Block amends their earlier motions so that all executive agencies & departments would be enjoined from implementing the EO. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-05-15 | The DoJ opposes the amendment to apply any injunctions to all executive agencies & departments. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-05-20 | Jenner & Block alerts the court that in another case the DoJ reported to a court "that a Jenner attorney's security clearance had been suspended," and that "this development, in addition to the recent suspension of security clearances of lawyers at WilmerHale, ... further underscores the need for the permanent injunctive relief that Jenner has requested, including with respect to Section 2 of the challenged Executive Order [regarding security clearances]." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-05-23 | The District Court rules in favor of Jenner & Block, concluding that the Executive Order targeting them "violates settled First Amendment law and its operation must be enjoined in full." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-07-21 | The DoJ alerts the District Court that they have filed an appel to the D.C. Circuit. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-07-22 | The Circuit Court receives the DoJ's appeal of the District Court's ruling against the Executive Order targeting Jenner & Block. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-07-22 | The Circuit Court sets the motions schedule, with statements of issues & procedural motions due August 21, 2025, and dispositive motions due September 5, 2025. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-08-21 | First round of statements due from both parties to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-09-05 | First round of dispositive motions due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |