← All Cases Coverage by Bryan K. Randolph · BrynoDC

American Bar Association v. Department of Justice

No. 1:25-cv-01263 District · Decided Decided
Court
D.D.C.
dcd
Judge
Christopher R. Cooper 44
Decided
Jul 18, 2025
Filed
Apr 23, 2025
Judge (CL)
Christopher R. Cooper 44
Filed (CL)
Apr 23, 2025
CL Status
terminated


The Application

History

The ABA challenged the DOJ's termination decision, contending the agency lacked statutory authority or failed to follow required notice-and-comment procedures. The court examined the relevant statutes governing the Commission's establishment and the DOJ's authority to terminate federally-funded programs.

The Conclusion

The court rendered judgment on the administrative law claims, determining the scope of the DOJ's authority to terminate the Commission and whether applicable procedural requirements were satisfied.

Outcome History (3)

  1. May 14, 2025 District
    Preliminary injunction granted Partial relief

    Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction granted in part.

  2. May 20, 2025 District
    Dismissed as moot Neutral

    Leave to file request denied as moot.

  3. Jul 17, 2025 District
    Administratively closed Neutral

    Administratively closed the case with a direction to file a further status report by October 1, 2027.

Federal Court TMR-8a295e16 Federal Grant Terminations May 18, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the Department of Justice had statutory authority to unilaterally terminate federal funding for the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence without complying with applicable administrative procedures.

Rule

Federal agencies possess only those powers explicitly granted by statute and must comply with the Administrative Procedure Act when taking final agency actions affecting legal rights or interests, unless a specific statutory exception applies.

Analysis

The ABA challenged the DOJ's termination decision, contending the agency lacked statutory authority or failed to follow required notice-and-comment procedures. The court examined the relevant statutes governing the Commission's establishment and the DOJ's authority to terminate federally-funded programs.

Conclusion

The court rendered judgment on the administrative law claims, determining the scope of the DOJ's authority to terminate the Commission and whether applicable procedural requirements were satisfied.

Notes

CourtListener 404. Docket may have been removed or ID is incorrect

Overview

The American Bar Associated sued the Department of Justice over the termination of the ABA's Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Subscribe on Substack ↗

This tracker is maintained by BrynoDC and is free because readers fund it. Support