futility exception (District of Columbia) · Go Syfert
← District of Columbia issues

futility exception in District of Columbia

9 District of Columbia opinions name it 1 courts 1986–2026 3 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by District of Columbia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (7)

CaseFollowedCited
Miller v. United Statesgreen
dc · 2011 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026See Miller v. United States, 14 A.3d 1094, 1115 (D.C. 2011) (“[T]he law generally does not require the doing of a futile act.”).

11
Belk, Incorporated v. Meyer Corporation, U.S.green
ca4 · 2012 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022And Defendants offer no authority for a futility exception.”) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted)). 23 Belk, 679 F.3d at 159 (rejecting argument that failure to submit a Rule 50(b) motion should be excused where judge “did not want to hear any additional argument on the sufficiency of the evidence”). 20 Factor to have interfered) — are unenforceable under Virginia law. 24 These are questions of law, as to which our review is de novo. 25 1.

11
Thomas M. Gaubert v. Federal Home Loan Bank Boardgreen
cadc · 1988 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
2 sentences

2006Gaubert, supra, 274 U.S.App.

2006D.C. 153, 159, 863 F.2d 59, 65 (D.C.Cir.1988) (citations omitted) (noting that the demand requirement furthers the principle that corporate management is entrusted to its board of directors). 5 Under the futility exception, the demand requirement is excused.

11
Seefeldt v. Board of Trustees of Universitygreen
dcd · 1979 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1997–1997
2 sentences

1997Seefeldt v. Board of Trustees, 487 F.Supp. 230 (D.D.C.1979) ("The [exhaustion] doctrine may be applied even though failure to note a timely appeal at the administrative level forecloses both administra-ti[ve] and judicial review of the alleged wrong.”) Id. at 233 (emphasis in original) (citing Kuhn v. National Ass’n of Letter Carriers, Branch 5, 528 F.2d 767 (8th Cir.1976); Olinger v. Partridge, 196 F.2d 986 (9th Cir.1952)).

1997Seefeldt v. Board of Trustees, 487 F.Supp. 230 (D.D.C.1979) ("The [exhaustion] doctrine may be applied even though failure to note a timely appeal at the administrative level forecloses both administra-ti[ve] and judicial review of the alleged wrong.”) Id. at 233 (emphasis in original) (citing Kuhn v. National Ass’n of Letter Carriers, Branch 5, 528 F.2d 767 (8th Cir.1976); Olinger v. Partridge, 196 F.2d 986 (9th Cir.1952)).

11
Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America v. Caspar W. Weinberger, National Council of State Agencies for the Blind v. Caspar W. Weinbergergreen
cadc · 1986 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1989–1989
2 sentences

1989Dano relies on the following passage from Randolph-Sheppard Vendors, supra, to support its entitlement to prevail under the futility exception: “Thus, administrative delay could meet the futility exception only where it appears that agency inaction is in reality a statement by the agency of its unwillingness to consider the issue_” 254 U.S.App.D.C. at 61 , 795 F.2d at 106 (emphasis added).

1989Dano relies on the following passage from Randolph-Sheppard Vendors, supra, to support its entitlement to prevail under the futility exception: “Thus, administrative delay could meet the futility exception only where it appears that agency inaction is in reality a statement by the agency of its unwillingness to consider the issue_” 254 U.S.App.D.C. at 61 , 795 F.2d at 106 (emphasis added).

11
Anika Cox v. Dr. Andrew Jenkinsgreen
cadc · 1989 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1989–1989
1 sentence

1989See Cox v. Jenkins, 878 F.2d 414, 419-20 (D.C.Cir.1989); C Street Tenants Association, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 ; cf. Walker v. Southern Ry., 385 U.S. 196, 198 , 87 S.Ct. 365, 366 , 17 L.Ed.2d 294 (1966) (agency’s chronic delay among reasons employee’s legal action under Railway Labor Act not barred by failure to exhaust administrative remedies).

11
APARTMENT & OB ASS'N OF MET. WASH. v. Washingtongreen
dc · 1975 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
2 sentences

1986See, e.g., Apartment & Office Building Association v. Washington, supra (challenge of statutory authority).

1986See, e.g., Apartment & Office Building Association v. Washington, supra (challenge of statutory authority).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in District of Columbia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
C Street Tenants Ass'n v. District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission green
dc · 1989
2 sentences

1992“It is well established ... that delay alone will not suffice to trigger the futility exception.” Dano Resource Recovery, Inc. v. District of Columbia, supra, 566 A.2d at 486 ; C Street Tenants Ass’n v. District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 .

1989See Cox v. Jenkins, 878 F.2d 414, 419-20 (D.C.Cir.1989); C Street Tenants Association, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 ; cf. Walker v. Southern Ry., 385 U.S. 196, 198 , 87 S.Ct. 365, 366 , 17 L.Ed.2d 294 (1966) (agency’s chronic delay among reasons employee’s legal action under Railway Labor Act not barred by failure to exhaust administrative remedies).

21989–1992
In Re Melton green
dc · 1991
1 sentence

2023In re Melton, 581 A.2d 788 (D.C. 1990), opinion superseded on reh’g, 597 A.2d 892 (D.C. 1991). 2 And although the majority does not explicitly say so, I also take us to agree that a court is allowed to express tentative disagreement about a party’s position without actually “rejecting” it, such that 1 The majority believes that the futility doctrine has no place in our analysis.

12023–2023
In re Melton green
dc · 1990
1 sentence

2023In re Melton, 581 A.2d 788 (D.C. 1990), opinion superseded on reh’g, 597 A.2d 892 (D.C. 1991). 2 And although the majority does not explicitly say so, I also take us to agree that a court is allowed to express tentative disagreement about a party’s position without actually “rejecting” it, such that 1 The majority believes that the futility doctrine has no place in our analysis.

12023–2023
Newman v. District of Columbia green
dc · 1986
1 sentence

2010Moreover, “the futility doctrine is ordinarily confined to situations in which the agency lacks the power to address the central issue, such as the scope of its authority or a constitutional claim, or in which there is no reasonable chance that it will do so.” Id.

12010–2010
Kamen v. Kemper Financial Services, Inc. green
scotus · 1991
1 sentence

2006Id. at 101-02, 111 S.Ct. 1711 (citing D.

12006–2006
Olinger v. Partridge, Brigadier Gen green
ca9 · 1952
1 sentence

1997Seefeldt v. Board of Trustees, 487 F.Supp. 230 (D.D.C.1979) ("The [exhaustion] doctrine may be applied even though failure to note a timely appeal at the administrative level forecloses both administra-ti[ve] and judicial review of the alleged wrong.”) Id. at 233 (emphasis in original) (citing Kuhn v. National Ass’n of Letter Carriers, Branch 5, 528 F.2d 767 (8th Cir.1976); Olinger v. Partridge, 196 F.2d 986 (9th Cir.1952)).

11997–1997
Edward Kuhn v. National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 5 green
ca8 · 1976
1 sentence

1997Seefeldt v. Board of Trustees, 487 F.Supp. 230 (D.D.C.1979) ("The [exhaustion] doctrine may be applied even though failure to note a timely appeal at the administrative level forecloses both administra-ti[ve] and judicial review of the alleged wrong.”) Id. at 233 (emphasis in original) (citing Kuhn v. National Ass’n of Letter Carriers, Branch 5, 528 F.2d 767 (8th Cir.1976); Olinger v. Partridge, 196 F.2d 986 (9th Cir.1952)).

11997–1997
Dano Resource Recovery, Inc. v. District of Columbia green
dc · 1989
1 sentence

1992“It is well established ... that delay alone will not suffice to trigger the futility exception.” Dano Resource Recovery, Inc. v. District of Columbia, supra, 566 A.2d at 486 ; C Street Tenants Ass’n v. District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 .

11992–1992
Walker v. Southern Railway Co. green
scotus · 1966
2 sentences

1989See Cox v. Jenkins, 878 F.2d 414, 419-20 (D.C.Cir.1989); C Street Tenants Association, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 ; cf. Walker v. Southern Ry., 385 U.S. 196, 198 , 87 S.Ct. 365, 366 , 17 L.Ed.2d 294 (1966) (agency’s chronic delay among reasons employee’s legal action under Railway Labor Act not barred by failure to exhaust administrative remedies).

1989See Cox v. Jenkins, 878 F.2d 414, 419-20 (D.C.Cir.1989); C Street Tenants Association, supra, 552 A.2d at 526 ; cf. Walker v. Southern Ry., 385 U.S. 196, 198 , 87 S.Ct. 365, 366 , 17 L.Ed.2d 294 (1966) (agency’s chronic delay among reasons employee’s legal action under Railway Labor Act not barred by failure to exhaust administrative remedies).

11989–1989

Where else courts name it

CA 116 (1974–2026) TX 29 (1995–2025) PA 17 (1917–2020) WA 17 (1989–2026) CT 15 (1949–2020) IL 13 (1989–2020) NC 12 (2000–2025) MA 12 (1956–2026) NM 11 (1981–2022) MI 11 (1976–2021) UT 10 (2006–2024) FL 9 (1929–2021) DC 9 (1986–2026) NY 9 (2012–2022) NV 8 (2006–2021) AK 7 (1988–2022) GA 7 (2011–2017) TN 6 (1995–2013) MD 6 (2001–2025) RI 6 (2004–2026) OH 6 (2010–2025) CO 6 (2005–2026) IA 5 (1975–2016) OR 5 (1978–2025) SC 4 (2005–2017) VA 3 (2018–2025) MO 3 (1987–2020) MT 3 (2004–2006) NJ 3 (2007–2025) HI 3 (1995–2025) AR 3 (2005–2017) AL 2 (1988–2011) IN 2 (2005–2007) VT 2 (2009–2015) OK 2 (2004–2013) MS 2 (2003–2006) WI 2 (2001–2002) DE 2 (1993–1993) WY 2 (1996–2022)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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