Author: mjpospis

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In Phillips v. Central New York Psychiatric Center, No. 16-cv-0219, 2017 WL 2869938 (N.D.N.Y. July 5, 2017), the court articulated and applied the legal framework for evaluating comments as evidence of unlawful discrimination. The court explained: Verbal comments provide evidence of discriminatory intent when the plaintiff shows that a nexus exists between the allegedly discriminatory…

Read More Race/Gender Discrimination Claims Dismissed; “Sloppy” Remark Was Not Race-Based
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In Luka v. Bard College et al, No. 15-cv-4598, 2017 WL 2839641 (S.D.N.Y. June 29, 2017), the court held, inter alia, that plaintiff sufficiently alleged gender discrimination under the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL). This decision is instructive on how courts apply pleading standards to such claims. The court summarized the law: To…

Read More Lesbian Professor, Denied Tenure, Plausibly Alleges Discrimination Under the NYS Human Rights Law Against Bard College
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Today is July 4, 2017, the 241st anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the United States’ declaration of national sovereignty. Among the many grievances against King George was one for “depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury.” The right to trial by jury  – arguably the…

Read More Happy Fourth of July!
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In Marquart v. NYC Dept. of Education (NY Cty 150327/2016 June 27, 2017), the court held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged disability discrimination under the NYC Human Rights Law, and denied defendant’s CPLR 3211(a)(7) motion to dismiss that claim (it reached the opposite conclusion, however, as to plaintiff’s age discrimination claim). Plaintiff sufficiently alleged that he…

Read More Guidance Counselor Sufficiently Pleads Discrimination Based on Disability (Sleep Apnea) Under the NYC Human Rights Law
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In Padilla v. Yeshiva Univ., No. 16-4086-CV, 2017 WL 2347567 (2d Cir. June 2, 2017), the Second Circuit vacated the district court’s judgment that plaintiff failed to plausibly allege (1) retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and (2) disability discrimination under the New York City Human Rights Law. Initially, the court summarized…

Read More FMLA Retaliation Claim, and NYC Human Rights Law Disability Discrimination Claim, Sufficiently Alleged
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In Goonewardena v. N.Y. Workers Comp. Bd., No. 09-CV-8244 (RA), 2017 WL 2799171, at *13 (S.D.N.Y. June 28, 2017), the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s retaliation claims under Title VII, the NYSHRL, and the NYCHRL. Plaintiff established a prima facie case of retaliation.  Among other things, plaintiff demonstrated that he “was…

Read More Retaliation Claims Dismissed; Performance Issues Predated Complaints
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In Culleton v. Honeywell International, Inc., No. 15-cv-3739, 2017 WL 2817101 (E.D.N.Y. June 29, 2017), the court dismissed plaintiff’s gender and age-based employment discrimination claims. Plaintiff’s negative evaluations were not “adverse employment actions” actionable under the law: In the context of a discrimination claim, negative evaluations, criticism and unwanted scrutiny are not adverse employment actions…

Read More Court Dismisses Sex Discrimination, Age Discrimination, Retaliation, and Hostile Work Environment Claims Against Honeywell
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In Brunache v. MV Transp., Inc., 2017 NY Slip Op 05196 (App. Div. 2d Dept. June 28, 2017), the court held (inter alia) that plaintiff – a paratransit van driver who sued after not being reinstated following his dismissal following an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against him by a passenger – did not state…

Read More Retaliation Claim Not Stated; “General Complaints” Were Not “Protected Activity” Under the NYS Human Rights Law
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In Allen v. City of N.Y., No. 16-560-CV, 2017 WL 2544520 (2d Cir. June 13, 2017) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit vacated in part the lower court’s order granting summary judgment to defendant. Here, plaintiff claims that he was not promoted because of his race and national origin and that he was retaliated against for complaining…

Read More City Employee Overcomes Summary Judgment on Race/National Origin Discrimination (Failure-to-Promote) Claim: Evidence Indicated That Plaintiff Was Qualified; Admission of Discrimination Was Not Hearsay
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In Mitzner v. royal Bank of Canada et al, 2017 WL 2152582 (N.Y.Sup.), 2017 N.Y. Slip Op. 31071(U) (Trial Order) (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. May 17, 2017) (J. Edwards), the court denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of gender and pregnancy discrimination under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. From…

Read More Gender/Pregnancy Discrimination Claims Against Royal Bank of Canada Survive Summary Judgment
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