RICHARD J. LEON, United States District Judge
Plaintiff Stephen E. Spelman ("Spelman" or "plaintiff") filed this action against Dana K. Chipman — in his official capacity as The Judge Advocate General of the United States Army ("TJAG") — on July 25, 2013 alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA"), 5 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. See Complaint ("Compl.") [Dkt. # 1]. On August 20, 2013, plaintiff amended his complaint,
Plaintiff is an attorney licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. See Am. Compl. ¶ 6. He currently
On September 6, 2012, plaintiff pleaded guilty in a general court-martial to offenses related to an extramarital affair he had with a subordinate officer-attorney in 2008 and 2009 while they were stationed in Iraq. See at AR 7-9, 48-50. He was sentenced to sixty days confinement, ordered to forfeit $4,000 of pay per month for five months, and reprimanded for his conduct. See AR at 48-50. Following execution of his sentence, plaintiff elected reassignment to the Retired Reserve rather than separation for misconduct under Army Regulation 135-175. See AR at 55, 95-96. Plaintiff entered the Retired Reserve on February 1, 2013. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 31-32. Prior to doing so, however, plaintiff — through his civilian law firm — notified each of his state bar licensing authorities and clients of his general court-martial conviction. See Am. Compl. ¶ 45.
On February 12, 2013, the Professional Responsibility Branch ("PRB") of the Office of the Judge Advocate General notified plaintiff that it had reviewed the allegations of professional misconduct that were the basis of plaintiff's court-martial conviction, and found that there was credible evidence to conclude that he had violated the Army's Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers. See AR at 57-59. Plaintiff was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and was informed that TJAG would make the ultimate decision regarding disciplinary action. See AR at 57-59. In letters dated February 19 and March 5, 2013, plaintiff disputed the PRB's allegations of professional misconduct and contested TJAG's authority to discipline him further. See AR at 63-66.
On June 13, 2013, TJAG notified plaintiff of his intent to impose the following disciplinary actions against plaintiff for violating Rule 8.4 of the Army Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers: (1) withdrawal of plaintiff's certification under Article 27(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice ("UCMJ"); (2) indefinite suspension from practice before Army Courts (3) indefinite suspension from practice under TJAG; and (4) notification of plaintiff's state bars of the withdrawal and suspensions. See AR at 148-49. On July 25, 2013, plaintiff submitted a rebuttal, again arguing that TJAG lacked statutory and regulatory authority to take such disciplinary action against him given that he was no longer in the active Army. See AR at 158-69. That same day, plaintiff filed his complaint and motions for a TRO and preliminary injunction in this Court. See Motion for Temporary Restraining Order [Dkt. # 2]; Motion for Preliminary Injunction [Dkt. # 3].
On July 26, 2013, this Court declined to issue a TRO and set a date to hear argument on plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary
Defendant moves for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. Summary judgment is normally proper where the pleadings, stipulations, affidavits, and admissions in a case show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). This standard, however, does not apply in cases where a district court is reviewing a final agency action under the APA "because of the limited role of a court in reviewing the administrative record." Sierra Club v. Mainella, 459 F.Supp.2d 76, 89 (D.D.C.2006) (citing Nat'l Wilderness Inst. v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng'rs, Civ. No. 010273, 2005 WL 691775, at *7 (D.D.C. 2005)). A district court's review of agency action involves questions of law that may be resolved "based on the full administrative record that was before the Secretary at the time he made his decision." Citizens to Preserve Overton Park, Inc. v. Volpe, 401 U.S. 402, 420, 91 S.Ct. 814, 28 L.Ed.2d 136 (1971) (abrogated on other grounds by Califano v. Sanders, 430 U.S. 99, 97 S.Ct. 980, 51 L.Ed.2d 192 (1977)); see also Atl. Sea Island Grp. LLC v. Connaughton, 592 F.Supp.2d 1, 12 (D.D.C. 2008); McDougall v. Widnall, 20 F.Supp.2d 78, 82 (D.D.C.1998) ("This Court must review the decision of the [agency] through an examination of the administrative record of the proceedings before the [agency], rather than a de novo review of Plaintiff's claims.").
Reviewing courts must set aside agency action that is "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law." 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A); see also Tourus Records, Inc. v. DEA, 259 F.3d 731, 736 (D.C.Cir.2001). When a district court applies the arbitrary and capricious standard, it "does not resolve factual issues, but instead acts as an appellate court resolving a legal question." Atl. Sea Island Grp. LLC, 592 F.Supp.2d at 12-13 (citing James Madison Ltd. v. Ludwig, 82 F.3d 1085, 1096 (D.C.Cir. 1996)). The court must, however, determine whether the agency action was based upon consideration of relevant factors and whether there was a clear error of judgment or a failure to follow procedures required by law. See Marsh v. Oregon Natural Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378, 109 S.Ct. 1851, 104 L.Ed.2d 377 (1989); Escobedo v. Green, 602 F.Supp.2d 244, 248 (D.D.C.2009). The Supreme Court has made clear that "the scope of review under the `arbitrary and capricious' standard is narrow and a court is not to substitute its judgment for that of an agency." Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass'n of U.S. v. State Farm
When the agency action at issue involves "the construction of an administrative regulation rather than a statute ... deference is even more clearly in order." Udall v. Tallman, 380 U.S. 1, 16, 85 S.Ct. 792, 13 L.Ed.2d 616 (1965). "[T]he agency's interpretation must be given controlling weight unless it is plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the regulation." Thomas Jefferson Univ. v. Shalala, 512 U.S. 504, 512, 114 S.Ct. 2381, 129 L.Ed.2d 405 (1994) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see also Auer v. Robbins, 519 U.S. 452, 461, 117 S.Ct. 905, 137 L.Ed.2d 79 (1997); Gen. Carbon Co. v. OSHRC, 860 F.2d 479, 483 (D.C.Cir.1988). In other words, courts "must defer to the Secretary's interpretation unless an alternative reading is compelled by the regulation's plain language or by other indications of the Secretary's intent at the time of the regulation's promulgation." Thomas Jefferson Univ., 512 U.S. at 512, 114 S.Ct. 2381 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see also Rollins Envtl. Servs. (NJ) Inc. v. EPA, 937 F.2d 649, 652 (D.C.Cir.1991). Not surprisingly, the more complex a regulatory program is, the greater the deference owed. See Thomas Jefferson Univ., 512 U.S. at 512, 114 S.Ct. 2381.
The discipline administered by TJAG in this case consists of: (1) withdrawal of plaintiff's certification under Article 27(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (2) indefinite suspension from practice before Army courts-martial and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals ("ACCA"); (3) indefinite suspension from performing Judge Advocate duties or practicing law in any capacity in any area of practice under the cognizance of TJAG; and (4) notification of plaintiff's state bar and other licensing authorities of the disciplinary action. See AR at 148-49. Plaintiff challenges the above discipline on four grounds. Plaintiff argues that TJAG lacks the statutory and regulatory authority to impose discipline on him as a member of the Retired Reserve. See Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and for Summary Judgment ("Pl.'s Opp'n") at 8, 11 [Dkt. # 26]; see also Am. Compl. at 20-21 (Counts I and II). Plaintiff further argues that TJAG failed to comply with Army regulations while imposing the discipline. See Pl.'s Opp'n at 13-15; see also Am. Compl. at 23 (Count III). Finally, plaintiff argues that TJAG's imposition of discipline on him was a violation of plaintiff's constitutional right to due process. See Pl.'s Opp'n at 14-15; see also Am. Compl. at 23 (Count IV). Each of these arguments will be discussed in turn.
The Judge Advocate General is an Army officer — and attorney — who is appointed by the President at the rank of Lieutenant General for a term of four years. See 10 U.S.C. § 3037(a). TJAG is responsible for — in addition to other responsibilities prescribed by law — serving as the legal adviser to the Secretary of the Army and all officers and agencies of the Department of the Army, and for directing the members of the JAGC in the performance of their duties. See 10 U.S.C. § 3037(c). The Army is made up of four components:
Following the imposition of his court-martial sentence, plaintiff elected to enter the Retired Reserve in lieu of separating from the Army. See Am. Compl. ¶ 29. This decision, of course, was totally voluntary. See Def.App. at 49 (U.S. Dep't of Defense Instr. 1215.06, E5.1.3.4., Uniform Reserve, Training, and Retirement Categories (Dec. 24, 2008)) ("Former members having completed 20 satisfactory years of service creditable for non-regular retirement, but electing to be discharged from the [Reserve Components], are not a part of the Retired Reserve and have no military status.") (emphasis added). Having done so, it strains credulity for plaintiff to now argue that he is no longer subject to the authority of TJAG — the officer tasked by Congress with directing Judge Advocates in the performance of their duties. See 10 U.S.C. § 3037.
Plaintiff's decision to enter the Retired Reserve — rather than separate from the Army — made him available for activation as a Judge Advocate at any time, see 10 U.S.C. § 688, and thereby subject to TJAG's authority under 10 U.S.C. § 3037. Retired Reserve "retain their status as Reserves, and are otherwise qualified" for duty. 10 U.S.C. § 10154(2). Any ruling stating that TJAG lacks the authority to ensure the qualifications of those in the Retired Reserve — who may be activated to serve as Judge Advocates — would do major harm to the maintenance of an effective Retired Reserve and would be contrary to the statutory language of 10 U.S.C. § 10154. See id.
TJAG's statutory authority over plaintiff — and Judge Advocates generally — is further derived from the UCMJ. See 10 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. Pursuant to the UCMJ, TJAG is responsible for certifying Judge Advocates for practice before general courts-martial, see 10 U.S.C. § 827(b) ("Trial counsel or defense counsel detailed for a general court-martial ... must be certified as competent to perform such duties by the Judge Advocate General."), and for practice before the ACCA, see 10 U.S.C. § 870(a) ("The Judge Advocate General shall detail in his office one or more commissioned officers as appellate Government counsel, and one or more commissioned officers as appellate defense counsel, who are qualified under section 827(b)(1) of this title."). Moreover, in the Manual for Courts-Martial ("MCM"), TJAG is entrusted with responsibility for the "professional supervision and discipline of military trial and appellate military judges, judge advocates, and other lawyers
Effective June 1, 1992, TJAG promulgated Army Regulation 27-26; Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers. See Def.App. at 15-22 (U.S. Dep't of Army, Reg. 27-26, Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers (May 1, 1992) ("Army Reg. 27-26" or "Rules")). Army Reg. 27-26 "provides comprehensive rules governing the ethical conduct of Army lawyers, military and civilian, and, pursuant to RCM 109, Manual for Courts-Martial, of non-government lawyers appearing before Army tribunals." See id. at 17 (Army Reg. 27-26, Rule 1). By its own terms, Army Reg. 27-26 applies to all "Judge Advocates in the Active Army, the Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve." Id. at 19 (Army Reg. 27-26, Rule 8.5(b)) (emphasis added). Plaintiff's focus on the use of the term "Army Lawyer" in Rule 8.5 — as a basis for excusing him from compliance with the Rules — is misplaced, as it fails to account for the broader jurisdictional statement contained in Rule 8.5(b). See id. (stating rules apply to all Army Judge Advocates).
As the Retired Reserve is a component of the U.S. Army Reserves, plaintiff — as a Judge Advocate in the Retired Reserve
Plaintiff argues that TJAG failed to comply with Army regulations when he imposed discipline on plaintiff without an independent review of the case by a Senior Supervisory Judge Advocate ("SSJA"). Unfortunately for plaintiff, this argument also lacks merit. How so?
Army Regulation 27-1 "establishes procedures for processing alleged or suspected violations of the Army Rules of Professional
If the PRB elects to take action on the PSI, he will forward it to The Assistant Judge Advocate General ("TAJAG"),
After plaintiff pleaded guilty to his general court-martial, PRB Attorney Advisor Kathryn Stone informed him by letter dated February 12, 2013 that the "thoroughly documented General Court-Martial case satisfies the requirements of a [PSI], the purpose of which is to assist in determining whether the questioned conduct occurred and, if it did, whether it constituted a violation of the Army Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers." AR at 57. Plaintiff was also informed that PRB had "assumed" the case
Plaintiff now seeks to convince this Court that the Army failed to follow its own regulations in his disciplinary proceedings, simply because there was no independent review of his court-martial file — which was being used in lieu of a PSI — by an SSJA prior to PRB assuming the case. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 103-107. The primary role of an SSJA in the attorney disciplinary process consists of reviewing the completeness of PSIs and coordinating with PRB if further action is required. See Def.App. at 12 (Army Reg. 27-1, ¶ 7-5). However, because plaintiff's misconduct was extensively investigated
The PRB's authority to assume misconduct cases from SSJA is clear, see Def. App. at 12 (Army Reg. 27-1, ¶ 7-5(b)), and in cases where there is "more than a minor or technical violation" — as is the case here — the "[SSJA] will refer the PSI report" to the PRB for further action. Def. App. at 12 (Army Reg. 27-1, ¶ 7-5(a)(3)) (emphasis added). Considering that PRB is the gatekeeper for all misconduct cases consisting of "more than a minor or technical violation," plaintiff's argument that he was entitled — under Army regulations — to an SSJA review of his court-martial files is meritless. Plaintiff was entitled to — and was afforded — "notice and an opportunity to comment" prior to TJAG imposing discipline, as required by Army regulations. Def.App. at 13 (Army Reg. 27-1, ¶ 7-8(a)(2)); see also id. at 27 (Rule 109(a)); AR at 63-66, 144. Plaintiff's disciplinary procedure comports with Army regulations, and thus his claim must fail.
Plaintiff next argues that he is entitled to relief based on TJAG's alleged violation of procedural due process under the Fifth Amendment. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 131-36. To properly bring a procedural due process claim, plaintiff must show that there was "(1) a deprivation; (2) of life, liberty, or property; (3) without due process of law." Lightfoot v. District of Columbia, 273 F.R.D. 314, 319 (D.D.C.2011) (citing Propert v. District of Columbia, 948 F.2d 1327, 1331 (D.C.Cir.1991). Thus, the first inquiry must be whether or not the plaintiff was deprived of any legally recognized liberty or property interest. See Gen. Elec. v. Jackson, 610 F.3d 110, 117 (D.C.Cir.2010). In order for a plaintiff to have a property interest in a benefit, he must show that he has "a legitimate claim of entitlement to it." Bd. of Regents of State Colleges v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 577, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972). "Only after finding the deprivation of a protected interest do we look to see if the [government's] procedures comport with due process." Gen. Elec., 610 F.3d at 117 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
Accordingly, for all the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS defendant's motion for summary judgment. An Order consistent with decision accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.
Id.
