Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Today the Supreme Court, in an opinion delivered by Justice Ginsburg, Ford Bend County, Texas v. Davis, No. 18-525, held that the EEOC charge-filing requirement, embodied in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is not “jurisdictional” (and thus does not relate to subject matter jurisdiction), but is rather a “claim-processing rul[] that…

Read More SCOTUS Holds That Title VII’s EEOC Charge-Filing Requirement is Not “Jurisdictional”
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In Rea v. New York State Dept. of Transportation, 2019 WL 1409977 (N.D.N.Y. March 28, 2019), the court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). In sum, the court held that the DOT may not be sued in federal court, in light of the Eleventh Amendment: The DOT is an…

Read More Age Discrimination Claim (ADEA) Against NYS Dept. of Transportation Dismissed on Eleventh Amendment Grounds
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In a recent decision, Lovell v. Consolidated Edison Company of New York, 2019 WL 1311128 (2d Cir. March 22, 2019) (Summary Order), the court held that the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue a federal claim of employment discrimination under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”). The court provides a summary of the…

Read More 2d Circuit: Plaintiff Lacked Standing to Pursue USERRA Claim
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In Graham v. Goodwill Industries, Inc., 16-cv-6468, 2018 WL 1318988 (EDNY March 14, 2018), the court held, inter alia, that it did not have subject matter jurisdiction over plaintiff’s sexual harassment claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws.[1]The court also, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment claims under Title VII of…

Read More Federal Court Lacked Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over Sexual Harassment Claims Adjudicated at State Agency
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In Suarez v. Mosaic Sales Solutions US Operating Co., LLC, 2018 WL 357540 (2d Cir. 17-2344 Jan. 11, 2018), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s claim under the New York City Fair Chance Act, N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-107(11)(a), based on defendant’s failure to follow certain procedures before rescinding plaintiff’s job offer after discovering,…

Read More 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of NYC Fair Chance Act Claim; Amount-in-Controversy Element Not Satisfied
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A recent New York state court decision, Fernandez v. POP Displays & Active Staffing Services (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 154516/2016 Jan. 5, 2017), illustrates the limitations on the geographic reach of the New York City Human Rights Law. The court granted defendant POP Display’s motion to dismiss under CPLR 3211(a)(2) for lack of subject…

Read More Court Dismisses NYC Human Rights Law Claims (Sexual Harassment Etc.) Against Non-NYC Company
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In Hermés of Paris, Inc. v. Swain, No. 16-CV-6255 (CM), 2016 WL 4990340 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 13, 2016), the court granted the request by petitoner (Hermes) to compel arbitration of the respondent/employee’s claims. Respondent, who worked in one of Hermes’ retail locations, filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court alleging claims of sexual orientation discrimination, creation of…

Read More Sexual Orientation Discrimination Claim Must Be Arbitrated; Consent to Arbitration Was “Knowing and Voluntary”
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In an Gottwald v. Sebert (NY Sup. Ct. 653118/2014 April 6, 2016), the court dismissed singer Kesha’s claims against, inter alia, Lukasz Gottwald (professionally known as Dr. Luke). This is a breach of contract action brought by Gottwald, and includes counterclaims asserted by Kesha alleging, among other things, violations of New York City and State statutes…

Read More Court Dismisses Kesha’s Claims Alleging, e.g., Gender Discrimination Under the NYS and NYC Human Rights Laws and Gender-Motivated Violence
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In Kennedy v. NYS, 14-CV-990S, NYLJ 1202751641711 (WDNY Mar. 3, 2016), the Western District of New York held that plaintiff – a member of NYS Assembly Member Dennis Gabryszak’s staff – plausibly alleged hostile work environment sexual harassment against Mr. Gabryszak under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and therefore denied defendants’ motion to dismiss under Fed. R. Civ.…

Read More Assembly Staff Member Sufficiently Alleges § 1983 Sexual Harassment Claim Against Dennis Gabryszak
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In Koke v. Baumgardner, No. 15-CV-9673 (LAK), 2016 WL 93094 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 5, 2016), the court considered the applicability of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Plaintiff sued in New York state court for alleged discrimination “because of her gender and her actual or…

Read More Federal Court Rejects Jurisdictional Challenge to Sexual Orientation Discrimination Case Brought Under Title VII
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