Since January 2021, Seattle Pacific University has been involved in multiple lawsuits. Filings for each lawsuit are accessible below. Media coverage and statements from the SPU community are available at The Story So Far.

• Rinedahl v. Seattle Pacific University (1/11/21 – 5/6/22)
• Hunter et al v. U.S. Department of Education (3/4/21 – 1/12/23)
• Seattle Pacific University v. Robert Ferguson (7/27/22 – Ongoing)
  • Washington Western District Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• Guillot et al v. Whitehead et al (9/12/22 – 7/20/23)

Rinedahl v. Seattle Pacific University (1/11/21 – 5/6/22)

• January 11, 2021
  • Complaint for damages and other relief
  • Order setting civil case schedule
  • Case information cover sheet and area designation
  • Summons
• January 20, 2021
  • Notice of appearance
• January 28, 2021
  • Acceptance of service
  • Certificate of e-service
• April 9, 2021
  • Defendant’s Answer and Affirmative Defenses
• May 3, 2021
  • Plaintiff’s motion and declaration to change judge
• May 4, 2021
  • Order to change judge
• May 6, 2021
  • Order on reassignment
• May 21, 2021
  • Stipulated protective order
  • Confirmation of joinder
• August 24, 2021
  • Jury demand
• September 9, 2021
  • Notice of court date 1
  • Notice of court date 2
  • Notice of court date 3
• September 21, 2021
  • Plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend the complaint for damages
• September 28, 2021
  • Defendant’s response to plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend complaint
  • Declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in opposition to plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend complaint
  • Defendant’s motion to continue trial date
  • Declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in support of defendant’s motion to continue trial date
  • Declaration of Laura Hartley in support of defendant’s motion to continue trial date
  • Notice of court date
• September 30, 2021
  • Plaintiff’s reply in support of motion to amend complaint for damages
• October 4, 2021
  • Order granting plaintiff’s motion to amend the complaint
• October 5, 2021
  • Plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion to continue
  • Declaration of Dan Kalish in support of plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion to continue
  • Declaration of Jéaux Rinedahl in support of plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion to continue
• October 7, 2021
  • Second declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in support of defendant’s motion to continue trial date
  • Defendant’s reply in support of motion to continue trial date
• October 11, 2021
  • Order continuing trial and amending case schedule
  • Order amending case schedule
• October 18, 2021
  • Defendant’s answer and affirmative defenses to amended complaint
• November 3, 2021
  • Notice of unavailability
• November 19, 2021
  • Notice of court date
  • Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Dan Kalish in support of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Jéaux Rinedahl in support of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Raedene P. Copeland in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Laura C. Hartley in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Elizabeth E. Ishihara in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Jeffrey C. Jordan in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Jennifer L. McKinney in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Shirley A. Mullen in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of David R. Nienhuis in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Matthew H. Whitehead in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Erla K. Champ-Gibson in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Pete C. Menjares in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Notice of court date
  • Defendant’s motion for summary judgment
• December 6, 2021
  • Plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Daniel Kalish in support of plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Jéaux Rinedahl in support of plaintiff’s opposition to defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Seattle Pacific University’s response to plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
  • Second declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in support of defendant’s reply RE motion for summary judgment
  • Second declaration of Laura C. Hartley in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
• December 13, 2021
  • SPU’s reply in support of motion for summary judgment
  • Plaintiff’s reply in support of motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Daniel Kalish in support of plaintiff’s reply in support of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
• December 14, 2021
  • Praecipe to declaration of Jéaux Rinedahl in support of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
• December 17, 2021
  • Hearing – Clerk’s minutes
    • Audio recordings of the hearing:
      • Zoom session part 1
      • Zoom session part 2
  • Cross motion for summary judgment HEARING
  • Cross motion for summary judgment RULING
• January 5, 2022
  • Order granting in part and denying in party plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment & order denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment
• February 16, 2022
  • Notice of court date
  • Stipulated motion to consolidate
• February 18, 2022
  • Stipulation and order consolidating cases
• May 2, 2022
  • Stipulated motion to vacate summary judgment order
  • Declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor in support of stipulated motion to vacate summary judgment
  • Notice of court date
• May 3, 2022
  • Stipulation and order vacating summary judgment order
• May 6, 2022
  • Stipulation and agreed order of dismissal

Hunter et al v. U.S. Department of Education (3/4/21 – 1/12/23)

• March 4, 2021
  • Class Action Complaint

Affirm is not currently able to provide all documents related to this lawsuit. For updates, see The Religious Exemption Accountability Project.

Seattle Pacific University v. Robert Ferguson [aka SPU v. Brown] (7/27/22 – present)

Washington Western District Court

• July 27, 2022
  • Complaint
  • Plaintiff’s corporate disclosure statement
  • Application for leave to appear pro hac vice 1
  • Application for leave to appear pro hac vice 2
• July 28, 2022
  • Summons in a civil action
• July 29, 2022
  • Minute order regarding discovery and depositions
  • Order regarding initial disclosures, joint status report, and early settlement
  • Case/IFP deficiency letter
  • Notice of appearance
• August 4, 2022
  • Declaration of service
  • Notice of appearance
• August 18, 2022
  • Notice of appearance
  • Defendant’s motion to dismiss
    • Attachment: Proposed order granting defendant’s motion to dismiss
• September 9, 2022
  • First amended complaint
    • Attachment: Exhibit A – Re: Employment Practices at Seattle Pacific University
    • Attachment: Exhibit B – Statement on Human Sexuality
    • Attachment: Exhibit C – Re: Seattle Pacific University
    • Attachment: Exhibit D – Attorney General Ferguson confirms civil rights investigation of Seattle Pacific University
• September 12, 2022
  • Order on motion to dismiss
• September 16, 2022
  • Defendant’s motion to dismiss first amended complaint
    • Attachment: Proposed order granting defendant’s motion to dismiss
• October 6, 2022
  • Application for leave to appear pro hac vice
• October 11, 2022
  • Plaintiff’s brief in opposition to defendant’s motion to dismiss
    • Attachment: Proposed order denying defendant’s motion to dismiss
• October 13, 2022
  • Stipulated motion to extend initial discovery deadlines
• October 14, 2022
  • Defendant’s reply in support of its motion to dismiss first amended complaint
• October 17, 2022
  • Order extending initial discovery deadlines
• October 24, 2022
  • Order setting time limits
• October 26, 2022
  • Notice of appearance
  • Order granting motion and dismissing case
  • Civil judgment
  • Transcript order form
  • Hearing transcript
• October 27, 2022
  • Transcript order form
• November 15, 2022
  • Defendant’s motion to tax costs
    • Attachment: Proposed taxation of costs
  • Declaration of Daniel Jeon in support of defendant’s motion to tax costs
  • Bill of costs
• November 23, 2022
  • Seattle Pacific University’s notice of appeal
• November 30, 2022
  • Transcript order form
• December 2, 2022
  • Taxation of costs
• July 1, 2024
  • Mandate of USCA
• July 2, 2024
  • Order Regarding Initial Disclosures, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement
  • Order for Proposed Briefing Schedule
• July 3, 2024
  • Notice of Withdrawal
• July 8, 2024
  • Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
• July 10, 2024
  • Notice of Appearance
• July 16, 2024
  • Stipulation to Withdraw Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss
  • Proposed Order Granting Parties Stipulation to Withdraw Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss
• July 18, 2024
  • Order Granting Parties’ Stipulation to Withdraw Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss
• August 1, 2024
  • Stipulated Motion and [Proposed] Order to Extend Discovery Deadlines
  • Stipulated Motion and Order to Extend Discovery Deadlines
• August 12, 2024
  • Defendant’s Answer to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint
• September 6, 2024
  • Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan
• September 12, 2024
  • Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
• September 23, 2024
  • Request for reassignment
• September 24, 2024
  • Standing order for all civil cases
  • Order setting trial date and related dates
• December 2, 2024
  • Model stipulated protective order
• February 24, 2024
  • Model stipulated protective order
• September 9, 2025
  • Notice of withdrawal
• September 10, 2025
  • Defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Proposed order granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Declaration of Daniel J. Jeon in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
  • Exhibit 1: Employee Lifestyle Expectations
  • Exhibit 2: Deposition of Kristen M. Brown
  • Exhibit 3: Deposition of Rebecca Tindall
  • Exhibit 4: Deposition of J— J—
  • Exhibit 5: Deposition of Katie Siverson
  • Exhibit 6: Supervisor Manual
  • Exhibit 7: Plaintiff’s third amended responses to defendant’s first set of interrogatories & requests for production
  • Exhibit 8: Quick stats – employee profiles
  • Exhibit 9: Email – Subject: Me, Too (June 7, 2021)
  • Exhibit 10: Email – Subject: Queer Christian and proud (June 5, 2022)
  • Exhibit 11: Email – Subject: FW: Close application (April 29, 2021)
  • Exhibit 12: Notes on phone call
  • Exhibit 13: Deposition of Patrick D. Keating
  • Exhibit 14: Deposition of Cheryl A. Michaels
  • Exhibit 15: Deposition of designated representative of Nick Brown, Colleen Melody
  • Declaration of Colleen M. Melody in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment
• September 17, 2025
  • Notice of withdrawal
• September 29, 2025
  • Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
• October 1, 2025
  • Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Brief in Opposition
  • Proposed Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment
  • Declaration of Richard Osborne
    • Exhibit A
    • Exhibit B
    • Exhibit C
    • Exhibit D
    • Exhibit E
    • Exhibit F
    • Exhibit G
    • Exhibit H
    • Exhibit I
    • Exhibit J
    • Exhibit K
    • Exhibit L
    • Exhibit M
    • Exhibit N
    • Exhibit O
    • Exhibit P
    • Exhibit Q
  • Declaration of Dr. Deana L. Porterfield
    • Exhibit A
    • Exhibit B
    • Exhibit C
    • Exhibit D
    • Exhibit E
    • Exhibit F
    • Exhibit G
    • Exhibit H
• October 22, 2025
  • Defendant’s reply in support of motion for summary judgment and opposition to plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment
• November 5, 2025
  • Plaintiff’s reply in support of motion for summary judgment
  • Supplemental declaration of Richard Osborne
    • Exhibit A – Osborne Supplemental Declaration
    • Exhibit B – Osborne Supplemental Declaration
• December 12, 2025
  • Order Dismissing Case for Lack of Jurisdiction
• January 16, 2026
  • Plaintiff Seattle Pacific University’s Notice of Appeal
    • Exhibit – Representation Statement

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

First Appeal (November 25, 2022 – July 1, 2024)

• November 25, 2022
  • Docketing letter and briefing schedule
  • Notice to all parties and counsel
  • Mediation letter
  • Case opening packet
• December 2, 2022
  • Mediation questionnaire
• December 7, 2022
  • Mediation order
• January 9, 2023
  • Mediation order
• April 3, 2023
  • Appellant’s opening brief
  • Excerpts of record
• April 4, 2023
  • Order
• April 10, 2023
  • Brief of amicus curiae constitutional law scholars Elizabeth A. Clark, Carl H. Esbeck, and Robert J. Pushaw in support of reversal
• April 11, 2023
  • Order
• June 2, 2023
  • Appellee’s answering brief
  • Appellee Robert Ferguson’s supplemental excerpts of record index
• June 7, 2023
  • Order
• June 16, 2023
  • Response to notice of case being considered for oral argument
• June 23, 2023
  • Appellant’s reply brief
• June 26, 2023
  • Order
• September 3, 2023
  • Notice of Oral Argument: Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 10:00 A.M. @ William K. Nakamura Courthouse, SE 7th Flr Courtroom 2
• November 16, 2023
  • Hearing (Audio & Video Recording)
• June 7, 2024
  • Opinion
• July 1, 2024
  • Mandate of USCA

Second Appeal (January 29, 2026 – present) | (Renamed Seattle Pacific University v. Nicholas Brown to reflect change in Washington AG)

• January 29, 2026
  • Time schedule order
• February 2, 2026
  • Mediation questionnaire
  • Disclosure statement
• February 12, 2026
  • Order setting assessment conference
• February 25, 2026
  • Mediation status report due

Guillot et al v. Whitehead et al (9/12/22 – 7/20/23)

• September 12, 2022
  • Complaint
  • Order setting civil case schedule
  • Case information cover sheet
  • Summons
  • Ex parte motion
• September 22, 2022
  • Certificate of service
  • Notice of court date
  • Motion for limited admission
• September 26, 2022
  • Declaration of service
• October 7, 2022
  • Notice of appearance
  • Notice of appearance
• October 11, 2022
  • Acceptance of service
  • Certificate of e-service
  • Defendant’s notice of intent to file special motion(s)
• October 13, 2022
  • Notice of additional appearance
  • Certificate of e-service
• October 25, 2022
  • Amended complaint
  • Certificate of service
• November 2, 2022
  • Order granting motion for limited admission
• November 17, 2022
  • Stipulation on special motions
• November 28, 2022
  • Notice of hearing
  • Defendants’ motion for expedited relief
  • Declaration of Nathaniel L. Taylor
  • Declaration of Pete Menjares
  • Declaration of Dean Kato
  • Declaration of Mark Mason
  • Declaration of Matthew Whitehead
• November 30, 2022
  • Amended notice of court date
• February 6, 2023
  • Opposition to defendants’ motions
  • Declaration of Alexander Booker
  • Declaration of Cambria Babbitt
  • Declaration of Carlene Brown
  • Declaration of Carlie Curlee
  • Declaration of Chloe Guillot
  • Declaration of Isabel Bartosh
  • Declaration of Jill Heiney-Smith
  • Declaration of Kristi Holt
  • Declaration of Laur Lugos
  • Declaration of Lynette Bikos
  • Declaration of Nikka Dellosa
  • Declaration of Patrick McDonald
  • Declaration of Rae Perez
  • Declaration of Reena Sidhu
  • Declaration of Sara Koenig
  • Declaration of Kevin Neuhouser
  • Declaration of Paul Southwick
• February 8, 2023
  • Praecipe to Declaration of Paul Southwick
  • Praecipe to Declaration of Kevin Neuhouser
• February 13, 2023
  • Second Declaration of Matthew Whitehead
  • Second Declaration of Dean Kato
  • Second Declaration of Mark Mason
  • Second Declaration of Pete Menjares
  • Defendants’ Reply in Support of Motion for Expedited Relief
• February 17, 2023
  • Hearing (Audio recording & transcript)
  • Clerk’s minutes
• March 2, 2023
  • Stipulation and order of dismissal of plaintiff Patrick McDonald
• April 6, 2023
  • Memorandum decision and order on defendants’ motion for special relief and motion to dismiss
• April 17, 2023
  • Notice of hearing
  • Declaration of Abigail St. Hilaire supporting defendants’ motion for reconsideration
  • Defendants’ motion for more definite statement
• July 20, 2023
  • Stipulation and order of dismissal