United States DC Circuit

An administrative order assessing additional royalties cannot be reasonably understood to be an "action for money damages" initiated by the filing of a complaint.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/14/2005
• Decided 06/10/2005
• Published 06/10/2005

Judges

• Before:  EDWARDS, SENTELLE, and ROBERTS, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Steven R. Hunsicker argued the cause for appellants.   With him on the briefs was Melissa E. Maxwell., Craig L. Stahl was on the brief for amicus curiae Burlington Resources, Inc. in support of appellant.  John T. Boese and Laura B. Rowe entered appearances.


• For Appellees:
  
• John A. Bryson, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause and filed the brief for appellees.  Ellen J. Durkee, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, entered an appearance., Patricia A Madrid, Attorney General, Attorney General's Office of the State of New Mexico, Christopher D. Coppin, Assistant Attorney General, Thomas H. Shipps, Ken Salazar, Attorney General, Attorney General's Office of the State of Colorado, Alan J. Gilbert, Solicitor General, Lee Ellen Helfrich, Martin Lobel, Jill Elise Grant, Harry R. Sachse, and James E. Glaze were on the brief for amici curiae in support of appellees.