Jun 9, 2025
Richmond, VA - June 9, 2025 - In a significant development for civil rights and equal protection law, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments in Richardson v. Prince George's County for the September 9-12, 2025 session. This case challenges discriminatory permitting practices that allegedly prevented African American entrepreneur Randy Richardson from operating his business on equal terms with larger, politically connected corporations.
The selection for oral argument represents a remarkable achievement, as the Fourth Circuit grants oral argument in only approximately 8-11% of the cases it considers each year. This selectivity means that only the most compelling cases involving significant legal issues or complex constitutional questions receive this distinction. The court's decision to schedule oral arguments signals the importance of the civil rights and equal protection claims at stake.
Richardson's case centers on allegations that Prince George's County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) engaged in systematic discrimination at the Shops at Iverson Mall. The lawsuit alleges that while large corporations were permitted to operate without proper permits and received favorable treatment, Richardson faced repeated barriers, improper enforcement actions, and discriminatory policies that prevented him from obtaining necessary permits for his business, Town Hall Live.
The case raises important questions about equal protection under the law, particularly regarding how local governments apply permitting requirements. Richardson's appeal challenges a district court ruling that dismissed his claims as "too speculative" for federal court jurisdiction, despite extensive evidence gathered during a six-month discovery period.
Attorney Jordan D. Howlette, representing Richardson, emphasized the broader implications of the case for minority entrepreneurs and small business owners. The appeal argues that the district court erred in applying Article III standing requirements and failed to consider substantial evidence that supported Richardson's claims of discriminatory treatment.
The oral arguments will take place during the court's September 2025 session in Richmond, Virginia, where a three-judge panel will hear arguments from both sides before rendering a decision that could have meaningful implications for civil rights enforcement and equal protection principles.