In New York practice, the “Bill of Particulars” is a widely-used device to obtain more detail – “particulars” – about a legal claim (either a plaintiff’s affirmative claims, or a defendant’s affirmative defense(s)). Technically, even though the Bill of Particulars (referred to as a “BP” by New York litigation regulars) is not a “discovery” device,…
Read More The “Bill of Particulars” in New York PracticeIn Espinoza v. CGJC Holdings LLC d/b/a Joe and Pat’s Pizzeria and Restaurant et al, 23cv9133 (DLC), 2024 WL 3520662 (S.D.N.Y. July 23, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s various discrimination claims asserted under federal law (namely, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claims Based on Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Disability Survive DismissalIn Meckeler v. Cornell University et al, 2024 WL 3535488 (N.D.N.Y. July 25, 2024), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation. From the decision: As Defendants argue, Plaintiff was able to outline many events in detail. For example, she laid out a verbatim conversation wherein…
Read More Sexual Orientation Claims Dismissed; Court Cites Absence of Detail Regarding “Derogatory Behavior” Referencing Sexual Orientation or “Gay Stereotypes”In Graham et al v. Cha Cha Matcha, Inc. et al, 23 Civ. 9911 (PAE), 2024 WL 3540324 (S.D.N.Y. July 25, 2024), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiffs sufficiently alleged a race-based hostile work environment claim under under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The court summarized the black-letter law as follows: Section 1981 provides that…
Read More Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Sufficiently Alleged; Allegations Include Repeated Virulent Racial Slurs by Supervisor Over Several MonthsIn Veras v. City of New York, No. 159560/2023, 2024 WL 3522161 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County July 23, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim of disability discrimination asserted under the New York City Human Rights Law. In sum, plaintiff – an NYPD employee – alleges that after…
Read More Disability Discrimination Claim Survives Dismissal; Allegations Include Threatening and Demeaning CommentsIn Moy v. Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC et al, 23 Civ. 3788 (DEH), 2024 WL 3498131 (S.D.N.Y. July 22, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s – a Chinese American woman – claims of retaliation under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. As to plaintiff’s section…
Read More Retaliation Claims Sufficiently Alleged; Demotion & Termination Followed Complaints of Exclusion of Employees of ColorIn Moy v. Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC et al, 2024 WL 3498131 (S.D.N.Y. July 22, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s – a Chinese American woman – claim of employment discrimination asserted under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 (as well as under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws). After…
Read More Chinese American Attorney Sufficiently Alleges Race, Gender Discrimination, Court HoldsIn Lax et al v. City University of New York et al, No. 504682/2021, 2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 50919(U), 2024 WL 3449207 (Sup Ct Kings Cty June 28, 2024), the court, inter alia, granted defendant CUNY’s motion to dismiss defendants’ (cross) claims of First Amendment retaliation. The court summarized, and applied, the law as follows:…
Read More First Amendment Retaliation Claims Dismissed Against CUNYIn Williams v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2024 WL 3455022 (N.D.Ill. July 18, 2024), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff plausibly alleged a sex-based hostile work environment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From the decision: The Court finds that Williams has met her burden at this stage and stated a…
Read More Title VII Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claim Sufficiently Alleged Against Chicago Transit AuthorityIn Rajaram v. Meta Platforms, Inc., 2024 WL 3192178 (9th Cir. June 27, 2024), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit – reversing a lower court – held that 42 U.S.C. § 1981 prohibits employers from discriminating against United States Citizens. From the decision: The disputed question is whether section 1981 prohibits employers…
Read More 9th Circuit Holds That 42 U.S.C. § 1981 Prohibits Discrimination in Hiring Against U.S. Citizens on the Basis of Their Citizenship