Yourman v. Columbia NY Presbyterian Hospital
- John Cronan
- 1:24-cv-06286
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 3
In Yourman v. Columbia University, Judge Cronan ordered summonses and U.S. Marshals service after Yourman was allowed to proceed without paying fees.
Zev Yourman, the listed defendants, the Clerk of Court, and the U.S. Marshals Service are affected. The order requires the Clerk and Marshals Service to arrange service and requires Yourman to monitor his address and seek any needed extension of the service deadline.
What happened
In Yourman v. Columbia University, Zev Yourman, who is representing himself, alleges that the defendants discriminated against him because he is Jewish, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The defendants include Columbia University, Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Julio Pujolis, Paul Freeman, and unidentified defendants.
The court had previously allowed Yourman to proceed without paying filing fees. Because he received that permission, the court directed the Clerk of Court to issue summonses, complete service forms, and send the necessary paperwork to the U.S. Marshals Service so the Marshals can serve the defendants. Service must occur within 90 days after the summonses are issued, although Yourman may request more time.
Judge Cronan also directed the Clerk to mail Yourman an information package and warned that Yourman must notify the court in writing if his address changes. The order addressed service of the lawsuit and did not decide whether the discrimination allegations have merit.
The detailed version
- Yourman v. Columbia NY Presbyterian Hospital · No. 1:24-cv-06286
- John Cronan
- Apr. 10, 2025
Background
Zev Yourman, proceeding without a lawyer, brought an action under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. He alleges that the defendants discriminated against him because he is Jewish. The defendants are Columbia University; Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital; New York Presbyterian Hospital; Julio Pujolis; Paul Freeman; and J. Does 1-10.
The court had granted Yourman permission to proceed without prepaying court fees in an order dated August 21, 2024. The Clerk of Court reassigned the case to Judge Cronan on April 8, 2025.
Service of Process
Because Yourman was allowed to proceed without prepaying fees, he may rely on the court and the U.S. Marshals Service to serve the defendants. The court explained that federal law requires the court to issue and arrange service of process in such cases.
The court extended the service period so that the deadline is 90 days after the summonses are issued. The Clerk of Court was instructed to complete a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form for the defendants, issue the summonses, and deliver the necessary paperwork to the Marshals Service. If the complaint is not served within that 90-day period, Yourman may request an extension of time.
Order
The court instructed the Clerk of Court to issue summonses, complete the service forms using the defendants’ addresses, and provide the documents to the U.S. Marshals Service. The Clerk was also directed to mail Yourman an information package. Yourman must notify the court in writing if his address changes, and the court stated that it may dismiss the action if he fails to do so.
This order concerns the mechanics and timing of service. It does not decide the merits of Yourman’s Title VI allegations. Judge John P. Cronan signed the order on April 10, 2025.
Read the full 3-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.