In litigation, “spoliation of evidence” occurs when a litigant, intentionally or negligently, disposes of crucial items of evidence before their adversary has an opportunity to inspect them. See generally New York Pattern Jury Instructions (PJI) 1:77; New York Motions in Limine § 9:24 (2024 ed.). As explained by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the…
Read More Spoliation of Evidence in New York Civil LitigationIn 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 retaliation claims asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the New York State and City Human…
Read More Retaliation Claims, Predicated on Sexual Harassment Complaint, Survive DismissalIn 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 McWilson v. Bell Textron Inc., No. 4:23-cv-01104-P, 2024 WL 3585615 (N.D.Tex. July 30, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From the decision: McWilson filed a timely EEOC charge for a single discrete act—the…
Read More Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal; Continuing Violation Doctrine AppliedIn Mercer v. ViacomCBS/Paramount, 22 Civ. 6322 (LGS), 2024 WL 3553133 (S.D.N.Y. July 26, 2024), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims of retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on the ground that she failed to exhaust her administrative remedies…
Read More ADA Retaliation Claim Dismissed as Not Exhausted at the EEOCIn 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 Doe v. Doe, No. 155961/2020, 2024 WL 3549750 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County July 25, 2024), the court granted plaintiff’s motion to dismiss defendant’s counterclaims alleging the filing of a false police report and complaints to child protective services. The court summarized the facts as follows: It is undisputed that Plaintiff was employed…
Read More Court Dismisses Counterclaims for Defamation, Abuse of Process Arising Out of Alleged False Police Report and Complaints to Child Protective ServicesIn 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 Color