Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

IN THE MATTER OF CROSBY DREDGING, LLC, CIVIL ACTION

ET AL.

NO. 25-1559

c/w 25-1560

SECTION: “G”(4)

ORDER AND REASONS

Before the Court are Alexander Yiannopoulos’s (“Yiannopoulos”) Motions for Leave to

File Briefs of Amicus Curiae.1 In the motions, Yiannopoulos seeks leave to file amicus briefs2 in

these consolidated declaratory judgment and limitation of liability actions filed by

Plaintiff/Petitioner Crosby Dredging, LLC (“Crosby Dredging”).3 Yiannopoulos’s proposed

amicus briefs offer “four observations for the Court’s consideration in the course of the continued

administration of” the limitation of liability action4 and develop five grounds allegedly “sufficient

for dismissal [of the declaratory judgment action] under Brillhart/Wilton.”5

On July 29, 2025, Crosby Dredging filed a limitation of liability action, Case No. 25-1559,

In the Matter of Crosby Tugs, LLC, et al., and a declaratory judgment action Case No. 25-1560,

Crosby Dredging, LLC v. Sarradet.6 On March 24, 2026, the Court granted the parties’ Joint

1 Rec. Docs. 20, 22.

2 Rec. Docs. 20-1, 22-1, 22-2.

3 Rec. Docs. 20, 22.

4 Rec. Doc. 20-1 at 8.

5 Rec. Doc. 22-1 at 18 (citing Brillhart v. Excess Ins. Co. of Am., 316 U.S. 491, 494–95 (1942); Wilton v.

Seven Falls Co., 515 U.S. 277, 287 (1995)).

6 Rec. Doc. 1; Case No. 25-1560 (Rec. Doc. 1).

Motion to Consolidate the cases.’ On March 25, 2026, the Court stayed and administratively closed

the cases pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a), due to a pending bankruptcy proceeding filed by Crosby

Dredging.®

“The privilege of being heard amicus rests solely within the discretion of the court.”? The

Fifth Circuit has noted that “[w]hether to permit a nonparty to submit a brief, as amicus curiae, is,

with immaterial exceptions, a matter of judicial grace.”!° Having reviewed the amicus briefs, the

Court finds they would be neither useful nor helpful to the Court in the administration of this

matter, especially considering that these consolidated cases are presently stayed and

administratively closed. Yiannopoulos has no standing to open this closed case. Therefore, the

Court denies the Yiannopoulos’s motions for leave to file amicus briefs. Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Yiannopoulos’s Motions for Leave to File Briefs of

Amicus Curiae'! are DENIED.

Ist

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, this day of June, 2026.

NANNETTE J 2 2 TE BROWN

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

7 Case No. 25-1560 (Rec. Docs. 9, 10).

® Rec. Doc. 18.

° United States v. Davis, 180 F. Supp. 2d 797, 800 (E.D. La. 2001) (Berrigan, J.), writ granted, cause

remanded, 285 F.3d 378 (Sth Cir. 2002).

10 In re Halo Wireless, Inc., 684 F.3d 581, 596 (Sth Cir. 2012) (quoting Nat’! Org. for Women, Inc. v.

Scheidler, 223 F.3d 615, 616 (7th Cir. 2000)).

'l Rec. Docs. 20, 22.