Robert E. Dupuis et al. v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland

(Constitutionality of 2021 legislation removing the statute of limitations for "actions based upon sexual acts toward minors" when applied to claims for which the previous limitations period had expired; applicability of legislation to entities)

The Maine Judicial Branch has set up this web page to post information on the reports to the Law Court of interlocutory rulings by the Business and Consumer docket in thirteen cases against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland, all of which have been consolidated into one appeal titled Robert E. Dupuis v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland.  This page assures the public full access to information about the appeal without compromising the litigants' right to a full and fair trial. It is our goal to accommodate the media and the public to the best of our abilities.

All public documents (documents that are non-confidential and not sealed) provided here will not be provided by the clerk's office, except to law enforcement or other government agencies. Please check this web page often for updates and documents related to the case.

Case information and public documents will be removed from the website once the case is no longer active or considered of great interest to the media and the public.

Case Name:
Robert E. Dupuis et al. v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland

Law Court Docket Number: 
BCD-23-122

Oral Argument
The Court heard oral argument on this matter at 10:50 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor. The audio recording of the argument is available using the player below.

Non-Confidential Filings and Orders:

• Briefs:
• October 6, 2023: Reply brief of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland in response to briefs of amici curiae
• October 5, 2023: Reply brief of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
• September 18, 2023: Brief of Amici Curiae Maine Trial Lawyers Association, Public Justice, and American Association for Justice
• September 15, 2023: Brief of Amici Curiae American Tort Reform Association and American Property Casualty Insurance Association
• September 14, 2023: Brief of Amici Curiae Child USA, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.
• September 15, 2023: Appellee's brief of the State of Maine
• September 14, 2023: Appellee's brief of Robert E. Dupuis et al.
• July 31, 2023: Appellant's brief of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
• July 31, 2023: Appendix
  
  
• Other filings:
  • May 23, 2024: Correspondence regarding Roman Catholic Bishop's supplemental legal authority, filed by Robert E. Dupuis et al.
  • March 25, 2024: Supplemental legal authority letter filed by Roman Catholic Bishop
  • March 18, 2024: Order Dismissing Appeal as to John J.L. Doe (Connors, J.)
  • March 13, 2024: Defendant-Appellant Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland's Motion for Leave to Dismiss Appeal as to Appellee John Doe Upon Stipulation of the Parties filed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
  • November 7, 2023: Second Supplemental Legal Authority After Briefing filed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
  • November 2, 2023: Order denying motion of amicus curaie CHILD USA to present argument (Horton, J.)
  • October 31, 2023: Supplemental Legal Authority After Briefing filed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
  • October 30, 2023: Response to Motion For Leave To Participate In Oral Argument As Amicus Curiae filed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland
  • October 16, 2023: Motion For Leave To Participate In Oral Argument As Amicus Curiae filed by CHILD USA
  • September 19, 2023: Order Admitting Visiting Attorneys
  • September 15, 2023: Motion for admission of Cary Silverman as visiting counsel.
  • September 14, 2023: Motion for admission of Marci A. Hamilton as visiting counsel.
  • July 10, 2023: Order enlarging page limits for briefs and time to reply to amicus briefs
  • June 30, 2023: Appellant's consent motion for modified page limits and alignment of reply brief deadlines
  • June 23, 2023: Invitation to file amicus briefs
  • June 5, 2023: Briefing schedule
  • May 15, 2023: Order Enlarging Time for Transcript Order
  • May 3, 2023: Appellee's Consent Motion for Enlargement of Time and Designation of Record Transcript, filed by Robert E. Dupuis et al.
  • May 3, 2023: Order regarding record on appeal and redaction of filings (Horton, J.)
  • April 18, 2023: Order Consolidating Appeals and Setting Course of Appeal (Horton, J.)
  • April 6, 2023: Orders of the Business and Consumer Docket granting the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland's motions to report to the Law Court pursuant to M.R. App. P. 24(c) (McKeon, J.)

Counsel of record:

• For the plaintiffs:
  Michael T. Bigos, Esq.
  Timothy M. Kenlan, Esq.
  Joseph G.E. Gousse, Esq.
  Berman & Simmons PA
  PO Box 961
  Lewiston ME 04243-0961
  (207) 494-4934
  
  
• For the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland:
  Gerald F. Petruccelli, Esq.
  James B. Haddow, Esq.
  Michael K. Martin, Esq.
  Scott D. Dolan, Esq.
  Petruccelli, Martin & Haddow, LLP
  PO Box 17555
  Portland ME 04112-8555
  (207) 775-0200
  
  
• For the State of Maine:
  Jason D. Anton, Esq.
  Office of the Attorney General
  6 State House Station
  Augusta ME 04333-0006
  

 

Media Contacts

Members of the media who require assistance may contact Barbara Cardone, Esq., Director of Legal Affairs and Public Relations, at (207) 213-2997 or barbara.cardone@courts.maine.gov