No. 25-7680October Term 2025Before Arguments
Michael Washington, et ux., Petitioners v. United States, et al.
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
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 / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
The Supreme Court is being asked to review an Eleventh Circuit approach that can throw out appeals by people seeking to join a case before fully examining whether they should be allowed in. The request also asks whether someone hurt by a filing injunction (a court order limiting filings) against another party in the same case can appeal.
Argument
The case is still at the stage where the justices are deciding whether to hear it, and no oral argument has been scheduled. The request says the Eleventh Circuit's "anomalous rule" and its appeal-rights approach cut off review too early.
Impact
The answer could determine whether people shut out of a case get any appeals court review at all. For example, someone who says an order against another party still limits their own ability to take part in the case could be affected.
What is Washington v. United States about?
The case asks whether the Eleventh Circuit can dismiss appeals from people trying to join a lawsuit before deciding if they belong in it. It also asks who may appeal an order against another party when they say it still harms them.
Who could be affected by Michael Washington v. United States?
People kept out of a lawsuit but claiming a strong stake in it could be affected. So could someone who says an order against another party still limits their own participation.
What happens next in Washington v. United States?
The justices must decide whether to hear the case. No oral argument is scheduled, and no decision window is available yet.
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
- Jul 23, 2026
- Method
- Methodology