Phase 1: The Initial Lawsuit (2017)
- February 2017: Attorney James Craig Larew filed the original petition against the City of Des Moines for declaratory judgment and damages.
- Spring 2017: The plaintiffs asked for a temporary stop (injunction) against certain city actions, but Judge Arthur Gamble denied the request.
- Late 2017: The plaintiffs changed and updated their formal complaint multiple times by filing amended petitions.
Phase 2: Discovery and the Long Pause (2018–2023)
- Early 2018: Both sides began "discovery," which is the process of exchanging evidence, paperwork, and answering questions.
- August 2018: Judge Gamble ordered a total pause (stay) on the case. The local court decided to wait until the Iowa Supreme Court finished deciding other related cases.
- November 2019: After more than a year of waiting, the pause was lifted by Judge David Matthew Porter so the case could move forward.
Phase 3: The First Summary Judgment and Appeal (2020–2023)
- Early 2020: Both sides asked the judge to rule on the case early without a trial by filing motions for summary judgment.
- November 2021: Judge Scott Rosenberg ruled entirely in favor of the City of Des Moines, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims.
- March 2022: The plaintiffs officially appealed this decision to a higher court.
- July 2023: The Iowa Supreme Court issued an opinion that "affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded" the case. This meant parts of the case were officially sent back to the local county court to be looked at again.
Phase 4: Class Certification and The Trial (2023–2026)
- July 2024: Judge Paul Scott approved the plaintiffs' request for "class certification". This legally turned the lawsuit into a class action representing a whole group of affected people.
- Early 2025: Many individuals officially chose to opt out and exclude themselves from the group lawsuit.
- June 2026: A full two-day bench trial was held before Judge Patrick Smith, leading to the current wait for a final verdict.
