Opinion
Case No. 0:18-cv-02429-KMM
07-13-2020
Justina S., Plaintiff, v. Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
ORDER
On September 17, 2019, this Court entered an Order staying this case pending the outcome of the following consolidated appeals pending before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals: Davis v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 18-3422 (8th Cir. Nov. 14, 2018); Thurman v. Comm'r Soc. Sec., 18-3451 (8th Cir. Nov. 19, 2018); Iwan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 18-3452 (8th Cir. Nov. 19, 2018); and Hilliard v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 19-1169 (8th Cir. Jan. 24, 2019). The Eighth Circuit recently decided the three consolidated cases in Davis v. Saul, ___ F.3d ___, 2020 WL 3479626 (8th Cir. June 26, 2020), and separately issued a decision in Hilliard v. Saul, ___ F.3d ___, 2020 WL 3864288 (8th Cir. July 9, 2020). Davis, 2020 WL 3479626 (affirming the district court's ruling in Davis, Thurman, and Iwan that the claimant in each case waived an argument that the ALJ was not properly appointed in accordance with the Appointments Clause of the Constitution); Hilliard, 2020 WL 3864288 (8th Cir. July 9, 2020) (citing Davis and concluding that because "Hilliard did not raise to the ALJ an Appointments Clause challenge, ... this court need not consider it").
Counsel for the Plaintiff suggests that the Court should continue its stay in this case pending the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in a second set of consolidated appeals: Smith v. Saul, 19-2731 (8th Cir. Aug. 14, 2019); Millard v. Saul, 19-2766 (8th Cir. Aug. 19, 2019); and Taylor v. Saul, 19-3155 (8th Cir. Oct. 4, 2019). He also suggests that a further stay may be prudent given that there will likely be additional appeals in Davis and Hilliard. ECF No. 25. The Commissioner argues that the Court should rely on Davis to conclude that Ms. S has forfeited her Appointments Clause claim. ECF No. 24.
Having reviewed the parties' recent updates, the Court finds that waiting to issue any ruling in this case until after the decision in the second set of consolidated appeals will simplify the issues in this case, conserve judicial resources, and will not severely prejudice the plaintiff. Wilson v. Corning, Inc., No. CV 13-210 (DWF/TNL), 2018 WL 4635672, at *1 (D. Minn. Sept. 27, 2018) ("In considering whether to stay proceedings, the Court considers whether a stay will (1) unduly prejudice or tactically disadvantage the non-moving party; (2) simplify the issues in the infringement litigation and streamline the trial; and (3) reduce the burden of litigation on the parties and the Court."). Accordingly, the Court concludes that staying this case pending the outcome of the second set of consolidated appeals is appropriate.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT this matter is STAYED pending the outcome of the consolidated appeals in Smith v. Saul, 19-2731 (8th Cir. Aug. 14, 2019); Millard v. Saul, 19-2766 (8th Cir. Aug. 19, 2019); and Taylor v. Saul, 19-3155 (8th Cir. Oct. 4, 2019). The parties shall contact the Court within 14 days of the date of the Eighth Circuit's decision in these cases to request lifting the stay or any other relief they believe is appropriate. The Court will determine whether to request supplemental briefing on the Appointments Clause issue raised in this case upon submission of the parties' status updates required by this Order. Date: July 13, 2020
s/Katherine Menendez
Katherine Menendez
United States Magistrate Judge