The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (federal court) covers the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. The Fourth Circuit and the Fifth Circuit (Texas, Louisiana and Mississiippi) are the two most conservative courts of appeals in the country. So, it is news when the Fourtth Circuit overturns summary judgment in favor of the employer. In
11th Circuit Overturns Prior Ruling
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a good decision on a sex harassment case. Reeves v. CH Robinson Worldwide. The latest version is an en banc decision overruling the result by an earlier 11th Circuit three judge panel. An en banc decision means all the judges of the Court participated
“Women-Hating” Dallas Fire Department
Aaron Ramirez, a plaintiff employment lawyer in Dallas, writes about the "woman-hating" Dallas Fire Department. The "D" magazine published an article with that just that title. He wrote about the sex harassment issues again at this post. I hope the Dallas experience is unique. I represented a female victim of sex harassment at the
Sexual Harassment Victim Gets Promotion
Cathy McBroom is headed back to Galveston with a promotion. See Texas Lawyer story. Ms. McBroom was one of the ladies complaining about Sam Kent’s sexual harassment. Judge Kent later accepted a plea bargain and is doing 33 months in a federal penitentiary. Ms. McBroom had been Judge Kent’s Case Manager. She was transferred
Judge Kent Seeks the Protections He Denied Others
Judge Sam Kent was denied his request to be certified as having a disability which affected his ability to perform his duties. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request. Judge Kent was and still is a United States District Judge. He heard many discrimination cases in his 15 years plus on the
What is Sex Harassment?
One question that frequently comes up is what constitutes "sex harassment." That has been a very important question in the proceedings against a federal judge. Judge Sam Kent was sent to jail for 33 months for abusing his position and harassing female subordinates. Certainly, his actions, groping females, was clearly sex harassment. But, generally, any
A good investigation is a good investment
I am frequently asked about sex discrimination. Until I retired last year, I was a member of Reserve/National Guard units for many years. Sex harassment was an occasional topic of concern. It is true that unwanted touching is clear sex harassment. But, what about invitations to dinner? What about persistent invitations to dinner? If