No. 24-6921

Benjamin Kohn v. State Bar of California, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-04-03
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Amici (1)Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (2)IFP Experienced Counsel
Tags: dismissal-with-prejudice federal-procedure jurisdictional-challenge rule-12b1 sovereign-immunity subject-matter-jurisdiction
Key Terms:
Arbitration SocialSecurity ERISA Privacy JusticiabilityDoctri Jurisdiction
Latest Conference: 2025-09-29 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether sovereign immunity implicates subject-matter jurisdiction such that it may be resolved through factual challenges under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1), and if so, may such jurisdictional dismissals be made with prejudice?

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

In Wis. Dep’t of Corr. v. Schacht , 524 U.S. 381, 391 (1998), this Court noted it has n’t yet decided whether sovereign immunity implicates subject matter jurisdiction. Consequently , the circuit s are split on whether sovereign immunity is properly reviewed under Rule 12(b)(1) or 12(b)(6). Among circuits applying 12(b)(1), nested split s manifest from further disagreements over what circumstances permit factual challenges to jurisdiction. Moreover, several circuits hold Rule 12(b)(1) dismissals must be without prejudice to avoid disclaiming jurisdiction and then exercising it, which rule the decision below splits from to affirm dismissal with prejudice of Kohn’s Rehabilitation Act claims under Rule 12(b)(1) based on Respondents’ assertions that they did n’t directly receive federal funding and thus purportedly hadn’t waived sovereign immunity. This petition presents the following question s: Whether sovereign immunity implicates subject -matter jurisdiction such that it may be resolved through factual challenges under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1), and if so, may such jurisdictional dismissals be made with prejudice? Whether this Court should revisit Hans v. Louisiana, 134 U.S. 1 (1890), to clarify whether state sovereign immunity in federal court applies solely to claims based on diversity jurisdiction?

Docket Entries

2025-10-06
Petition DENIED.
2025-07-31
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
2025-07-31
Reply of Benjamin Kohn submitted.
2025-07-31
2025-07-14
Brief of State Bar of California, et al. in opposition submitted.
2025-07-14
Brief of respondent State Bar of California, et al. in opposition filed.
2025-06-11
Amicus brief of Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Disability Rights California, et al. submitted.
2025-06-11
Brief amici curiae of Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, et al. filed.
2025-05-19
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including July 14, 2025.
2025-05-16
Motion of State Bar of California, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2025-05-16
Motion to extend the time to file a response from June 12, 2025 to July 14, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-05-13
Response Requested. (Due June 12, 2025)
2025-05-07
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/22/2025.
2025-05-01
Waiver of State Bar of California, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2025-05-01
Waiver of right of respondent State Bar of California, et al. to respond filed.
2025-03-31
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due May 5, 2025)

Attorneys

Benjamin Kohn
Andrew RozynskiEisenberg & Baum, LLP, Petitioner
Andrew RozynskiEisenberg & Baum, LLP, Petitioner
David FerlegerDavid Ferleger Law Office, Petitioner
David FerlegerDavid Ferleger Law Office, Petitioner
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Disability Rights California, et al.
Ian McGirk WebbAttorney at Law, Amicus
Ian McGirk WebbAttorney at Law, Amicus
State Bar of California, et al.
Brady Richard DewarThe State Bar of California, Respondent
Brady Richard DewarThe State Bar of California, Respondent