No. 25-7680October Term 2025Petition PendingUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Michael Washington, et ux. v. United States
This pending case asks whether the Eleventh Circuit may dismiss an attempted appeal by people seeking to intervene in a case without first deciding whether they had a right to intervene under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Next
- Awaiting an order on the petitionNo decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
This pending case asks whether the Eleventh Circuit may dismiss an attempted appeal by people seeking to intervene in a case without first deciding whether they had a right to intervene under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24. It also concerns whether someone harmed by a filing injunction imposed on a co-litigant has standing to appeal that injunction.
Question presented
1. Whether the Eleventh Circuit’s "anomalous rule" for intervention appeals violates the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment by dismissing prospective intervenors for lack of jurisdiction without first reviewing the merits of their right to intervene under Fed. R. Civ. P. 24. 2. Whether a party who is adversely affected by a filing injunction issued against a co-litigant possesses "appellate standing" as an aggrieved party under the standards set forth in Marino v. Ortiz, 484 U.S. 301 (1988).
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
Michael Washington and his spouse ask the Supreme Court to review Eleventh Circuit rules affecting appeals by people seeking to join a case. They also question whether someone harmed by a filing injunction against a co-litigant may appeal as an aggrieved party.
Argument
The petition for certiorari (the Court's decision to hear a case) has been filed, and oral argument has not been scheduled.
Impact
The case could affect people who seek to join federal lawsuits or challenge court limits on filing. For example, a person affected by an injunction aimed at a co-litigant could gain or lose a path to appeal.
What's next
Watch for a scheduling order, a response to the petition, or a decision on whether the Court will hear the case. No decision window is available yet.
What is at stake in Washington v. United States?
The case asks whether certain Eleventh Circuit procedures improperly prevent prospective intervenors from obtaining review of their request to join a lawsuit.
Who could be affected by the filing-injunction question?
A party adversely affected by an injunction against a co-litigant could be affected. The issue is whether that party may appeal as aggrieved.
What happens next in Washington v. United States?
The Supreme Court may take further action on the petition for certiorari. Oral argument has not been scheduled.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Sep 3, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Mar 16, 2026 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology