In a 7-2 decision issued today, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (U.S. No. 16-111 June 4, 2018) (J. Kennedy), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to create a cake for a gay couple’s wedding because of his claimed religious opposition to same-sex marriage. Importantly,…
Read More SCOTUS Issues Narrow Decision in Baker’s Favor in “Gay Wedding Cake” CaseIn Canady v. Univ. of Rochester, et al (2d Cir. 17-1952 May 30, 2018) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s retaliation claim against Rochester University. Here is the relevant law, as summarized by the court: To state a prima facie case for Title VII retaliation a plaintiff must show: “(1) participation in…
Read More 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Retaliation Claim Against Rochester UniversityIn Krause v. Kelehan, 17-CV-1045, 2018 WL 2021484 (N.D.N.Y. April 26, 2018), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff’s TItle VII gender discrimination claim survived dismissal. This case involves a scenario in which an ultimate decision – here, termination – is made by one or more persons who were influenced, or motivated, by discriminatory animus…
Read More Gender Discrimination Claim Survives Dismissal Based on Alleged Biased InfluenceIn Krause v. Kelehan, 17-CV-1045, 2018 WL 2021484 (N.D.N.Y. April 26, 2018), the court – applying the “continuing violation doctrine” – held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged a timely hostile work environment claim against the defendants.[1]The court also held, inter alia, that plaintiff’s discrimination claims survive dismissal. From the decision: Like Plaintiff’s discrimination claim, her hostile…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal; Court Applies the “Continuing Violations Doctrine”In a recent (May 29, 2018) Petition for Writ of Certiorari, filed in Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, the petitioner seeks to overturn the Second Circuit’s en banc decision holding that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition on discrimination based on “sex” also prohibits discrimination based on “sexual orientation.”
Read More Petition for Writ of Certiorari Asks SCOTUS to Overturn 2d Circuit En Banc Zarda Decision That Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual OrientationFrom Pierre v. FJC Security Services, 17-3257 (2d Cir. May 24, 2018) (Summary Order) Pierre sued FJC for sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He alleged that his supervisors were romantically interested in his female coworker, who disliked him. As a result, they allegedly conspired against him…
Read More Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Gender Discrimination Case;A recent decision, Jackson v. Time Warner Cable Administration LLC, 2018 WL 2371024 (S.D.N.Y. 16-cv-8639 May 18, 2018), illustrates that the proper focus in an employment discrimination case is not whether an employer’s non-discriminatory explanation for the allegedly wrongful action is reliable or true, but rather what motivated the employer. In this case, defendant terminated…
Read More Employment Discrimination Case Against Time Warner Dismissed; Racial Motive Not ShownIn Isbell et al v. City of New York, 2018 WL 2389075 (S.D.N.Y., May 25, 2018), the court (inter alia) denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims under the NYC Human Rights Law (but granted their motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ discrimination claims under federal and state law). In so doing, the court highlights the relative…
Read More Discrimination Claims Survive Under the NYC Human Rights LawIn Campbell v. national Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (2d Cir. 17-1820 May 25, 2018) (Summary Order), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s Title VII gender discrimination claim. Initially, the court rejected plaintiff’s attempt to establish discrimination by comparing herself to male co-workers: We affirm for substantially the same reasons given by the district court…
Read More 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Gender Discrimination, Rejects “Cat’s Paw” TheoryIn Boliak v. Reilly, 2018 NY Slip Op 03745 (App. Div. 1st Dept. May 24, 2018), the court overturned the dismissal[1]Boliak v. Reilly, 2017 NY Slip Op 32010, Index No. 153941/2016, Judge Erika Edwards, Sept. 22, 2017. of plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims under the NYC Human Rights Law against Father Michael P. Reilly and others. From…
Read More Employment Discrimination Claims Reinstated Against Father Reilly et al