Discrimination is not easy to prove. It starts with an adverse personnel action that does not make sense. Then, you ask the employer for its explanation. Does the it make sense? We see the same analysis when the judge reviews the administration’s travel ban. There is at least one federal statute that prohibits discrimination in
employment law
Trump to be Deposed Next Week
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Litigation and trial practice
Not one, but two chefs backed out of agreements to open restaurants in Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. hotel. I previously wrote about celebrity chef Jose Andres here. Also, Geoffrey Zakarian backed out of a similar deal. Donald Trump sued both. Both backed out after he disparaged Mexican immigrants. Both chefs claim they would have trouble…
Leadership is Toughest in Times of Stress
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
When I was a young Company Commander, we had this lieutenant who was even younger than I was. He had been to Airborne school. He had his jump wings and he thought he was special. He disparaged Battalion staff the few times he dealt with them. He talked big about what he would do as…
Sheriff Arpaio Faces Criminal Contempt Charges
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Discrimination
Sheriff Joe Arpaio wants the country to think he is tough. He is tough on prisoners. Unfortunately for Hispanics, he is also tough on Hispanic Americans. I last wrote about Sheriff Arpaio here. He would not refrain from targeting Hispanics in his traffic stops. The federal judge in Phoenix has warned Sheriff Arpaio several…
Trump Sees Veterans with PTSD as “Weak”
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
It is ironic that Donald Trump suggests that veterans suffering from PTSD are weak. He obtained several deferments from the draft during the Viet Nam War. He said “strong” soldiers do not suffer from PTSD. See ABC news report. The implication is that weak soldiers do suffer from PTSD.
That is nonsense. It is…
Iraq War History Re-Visited
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
Listening to the debate between Clinton and Trump, I realized that some folks have already forgotten what really happened during the Iraq War. It ended just a few years ago, yet, there are some serious mis-understandings about it. For one thing, Donald Trump blames the Obama administration for leaving Iraq in a vacuum. Yes, when…
States, Business Groups Seek to Stop Overtime Changes
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Wage and Hour Issues
Pres. Obama updated the rules on overtime. He essentially brought them forward to allow for inflation. I wrote about that change in the overtime rules here and here. Well, now many states and business groups are filing suit to stop the changes. Of course, Ken Paxton and Texas are one of the leaders of…
Fox News Seeks Arbitration Regarding Andrea Tantaros
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Uncategorized
Andrea Tantaros, has sued Fox News for sexual harassment. I wrote about that suit here. Now, Fox News has asked that her case be sent to arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. In effect, it is asking that her case be sent to the secret, Star chamber of American society. But, in so…
Fifth Circuit Took Away Verdict for Plaintiff
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Litigation and trial practice
The Fifth Circuit is a risky place to do business. Sometimes, it just reaches some strange conclusions. The case of Allen v. Radio One of Texas II, LLC, No. 11-20781, 2013 WL 703832 (5th Cir. 2/26/2013) illustrates the lack of predictability at the Fifth Circuit. In that case, Corina Allen worked at a radio…
Coach Briles Settled Lawsuit with Baylor University
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Termination
Coach Art Briles settled his wrongful termination lawsuit against Baylor University. I previously wrote about that lawsuit here. I wrote then that it was pretty “nervy” of Coach Briles to sue his employer for wrongful termination after his inaction caused so much heartburn for his employer. He apparently settled the lawsuit soon after he…