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Home Court filings United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc.

Case docket

United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. — U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal.

United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. — U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal. — 90 documents in the archive, dated January 15, 2019 to January 12, 2021.

Case facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Docket numbersNo. 4:20-cv-07810 — main docket · CourtListener docket 368439
No. 3:19-cv-08315 (no document in the archive is numbered on it) — other docket filed with this case
No. 5:20-cv-07810 (no document in the archive is numbered on it) — other docket filed with this case
Filings90 public filings
Filed2019-01-15 – 2021-01-12
Original PDFs90 of 90
ProfilesPlaid, William Hockey, Zach Perret

Case summary

The United States filed a complaint on November 5, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., No. 4:20-cv-07810, to stop Visa's proposed acquisition of Plaid. The complaint pleads that the acquisition violates Section 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 18. It alleges that Visa is a monopolist in online debit transactions with approximately 70% of that market and that Plaid, which has access to financial data from over 11,000 U.S. banks, was developing a substitute for Visa's online debit services. The case was reassigned twice in November 2020. The filings on this page end with a discovery order of January 6, 2021 and notices of appearance dated January 8, 2021.

Case at a glance

PartiesPlaintiff: United States of America, represented by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Defendants: Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc.
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, No. 4:20-cv-07810 (filings stamped 3:20-cv-07810, 4:20-cv-07810-KAW and 4:20-cv-07810-JSW)
ProgramNot named in the filings on this page
ClaimsThat the proposed acquisition of Plaid by Visa violates Section 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and must be stopped
Disposition or statusNo ruling on the merits is among the filings on this page. The last filing is the joint stipulation of dismissal of January 12, 2021 (Document 77)
Status checked2026-09-23 · against DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22; court docket not yet read

What does the complaint allege?

That Visa controls approximately 70% of the online debit transactions market, that in 2019 it processed about 43 billion debit transactions including more than 10 billion online, and that it earned over $4 billion from its debit business including about $2 billion from online debit.

Why does the complaint say Visa sought to buy Plaid?

It quotes Visa's CEO describing the purchase as an "insurance policy" to neutralize a "threat to our important US debit business", and pleads that acquiring Plaid would eliminate a nascent competitive threat.

What happened procedurally?

The action was first assigned to Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore, then reassigned in November 2020 — first to the San Jose division and then to Judge Jeffrey S. White in the Oakland division — with all hearing and trial dates then scheduled vacated.

Docket

90 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.

No. 4:20-cv-07810 — main docket

  1. No Process Complaint United States of AmericaEntry 1
  2. Civil Cover Sheet — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 1, attachment 1
  3. Certificate of Service of Complaint — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 2)Entry 2
  4. —Entry 3 is not in the archive
  5. Notice of Appearance (John R. Read) — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810-JSW (Document 4)Entry 4
  6. Notice of Appearance (Sarah H. Licht) — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810-JSW (Document 5)Entry 5
  7. Notice of Appearance (Meagan K. Bellshaw) — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810-JSW (Document 6)Entry 6
  8. Notice of Appearance (Cory Brader Leuchten) — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810-JSW (Document 7)Entry 7
  9. Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines:… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 8)Entry 8
  10. Certificate of Service — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 9)Entry 9
  11. Notice of Appearance by Jack Patrick DiCanioEntry 10
  12. Certificate of Interested Entities by Visa Inc.Entry 11
  13. Consent or Declination — Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810-KAW (Document 12)Entry 12
  14. CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 13)Entry 13
  15. —Entry 14 is not in the archive
  16. Notice of Appearance — Jonathan M. Jacobson, Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America, Case 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 15)Entry 15
  17. Corporate Disclosure Statement — Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Document 16)Entry 16
  18. Certificate of Interested Entities by Plaid Inc. (Jacobson,… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 17)Entry 17
  19. Notice of Appearance — Scott A. Sher, Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America, Case No. 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 18)Entry 18
  20. Notice of Appearance — Justina K. Sessions, Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America, Case No. 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 19)Entry 19
  21. Notice of Appearance — Benjamin S. Labow, Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America, Case No. 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 20)Entry 20
  22. Notice of Appearance — Katie R. Glynn, Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc., United States of America, Case No. 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 21)Entry 21
  23. Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice for Steven SunshineEntry 22
  24. Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice for Karen LentEntry 23
  25. Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice for Tara ReinhartEntry 24
  26. Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice for Julia YorkEntry 25
  27. MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice filed by Plaid Inc..… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 26)Entry 26
  28. Application for (Pro Hac Vice, Civil Local Rule 11-3) — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Document 27)Entry 27
  29. —Entries 28–29 are not in the archive
  30. Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac ViceEntry 30
  31. ORDER OF RECUSAL — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 31)Entry 31
  32. ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate,… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 32)Entry 32
  33. Notice of Eligibility for Video Recording — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 32.1)Entry 32, attachment 1
  34. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 33, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 33
  35. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 34, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 34
  36. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 35, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 35
  37. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 36, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 36
  38. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 37, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 37
  39. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 38, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 38
  40. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 39, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 39
  41. Certificate of Service — United States of America v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc., Case 4:20-cv-07810 (Document 40)Entry 40
  42. ORDER SETTING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND REQUIRING JOINT CASE… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 41)Entry 41
  43. ADMINISTRATIVE MOTION FOR AN EXPEDITED CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 42)Entry 42
  44. Declaration of S. Sunshine — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 42.1)Entry 42, attachment 1
  45. Proposed Order — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 42.2)Entry 42, attachment 2
  46. Plaintiff United States' Statement in Support of 42… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 43)Entry 43
  47. Declaration of Meagan K. Bellshaw — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 43.1)Entry 43, attachment 1
  48. Proposed Order — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 43.2)Entry 43, attachment 2
  49. ORDER GRANTING 42 ADMINISTRATIVE MOTION FOR AN EXPEDITED CASE… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 44)Entry 44
  50. Notice of Appearance by Bennett MatelsonEntry 45
  51. Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Protective Order filed by United… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 46)Entry 46
  52. Motion for leave to appear — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 47, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 47
  53. Order by Judge Jeffrey S. White — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 48, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 48
  54. Stipulated Protective Order — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 49, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 49
  55. ANSWER to Complaint byVisa Inc.. (DiCanio, Jack) (Filed on… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 50)Entry 50
  56. ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options,… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 51)Entry 51
  57. ANSWER to Complaint byPlaid Inc.. (Sessions, Justina) (Filed on… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 52)Entry 52
  58. Waiver of the Service of Summons — Steven C. Sunshine — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc (Document 53)Entry 53
  59. Waiver of the Service of Summons — Scott Sher — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc (Document 54)Entry 54
  60. Stipulation with Proposed Order re ModificationEntry 55
  61. ORDER by Judge Jeffrey S. White granting 55 Stipulation re… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 56)Entry 56
  62. undatedJOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT and Discovery Plan filed by… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57)Entry 57
  63. Memorandum in Support of Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings — United States v. Visa and Plaid (Doc. 57-1)Entry 57, attachment 1
  64. Exhibit B — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57.2)Entry 57, attachment 2
  65. Exhibit C — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57.3)Entry 57, attachment 3
  66. Declaration of Patricia Brink — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57.4)Entry 57, attachment 4
  67. Declaration of Cory Brader Leuchten — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57.5)Entry 57, attachment 5
  68. Proposed Order Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Order — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 57.6)Entry 57, attachment 6
  69. Administrative Motion to File Under Seal Exhibit B and Exhibit C… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 58)Entry 58
  70. Declaration of Justina Sessions in Support of Defendant Plaid… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 58.1)Entry 58, attachment 1
  71. Proposed Order Granting Defendant Plaid Inc.'s Administrative… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 58.2)Entry 58, attachment 2
  72. Redacted Version of Declaration of Pouya Fatemi in Support of… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 58.3)Entry 58, attachment 3
  73. Redacted Version of Declaration of McKenna Quint in Support of… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 58.5)Entry 58, attachment 5
  74. ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 59)Entry 59
  75. ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 60)Entry 60
  76. ORDER REFERRING CASE to a randomly assigned Magistrate Judge for… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 61)Entry 61
  77. Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Order Regarding Case Schedule… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 62)Entry 62
  78. Minute Entry for proceedings — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 63, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 63
  79. Order Scheduling Trial and Pretrial MattersEntry 64
  80. ORDER AMENDING DEADLINE TO HEAR DAUBERT MOTIONS — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 65)Entry 65
  81. Transcript Order for proceedings — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 66, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-07810)Entry 66
  82. TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 12/18/2020 before Judge… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 67)Entry 67
  83. TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 12/18/2020 before Judge… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 68)Entry 68
  84. —Entry 69 is not in the archive
  85. TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 12/18/2020 before Judge… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 70)Entry 70
  86. Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Discovery Order filed by United… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 71)Entry 71
  87. Discovery Order (granting 71 Stipulation)Entry 72
  88. Notice of Appearance by Jessica Nicole LealEntry 73
  89. Notice of Appearance by Brittney Anne DimondEntry 74
  90. Notice of Appearance by Lara E. Veblen TragerEntry 75
  91. NOTICE of Appearance by Jeffrey Vernon (Vernon, Jeffrey) (Filed… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 76)Entry 76
  92. Joint Stipulation of Dismissal filed by United States of America,… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 77)Entry 77

Documents without an entry number

  1. Notice of Eligibility for Video Recording — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 28.1)
  2. ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate,… — United States v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. (Dkt. 28)

Other cases in the archive from U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

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