Employment Law, Retaliation

Three years between protected activity and failure to renew contract was too long to establish a causal connection in retaliation case.

Latasha Rose v. Houston Independent School District 14-16-00687-CV (Tex.App—Houston [Dist. 14] October 19, 2017) This is a retaliation in employment case where the 14th District Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the Plaintiff’s claims. Rose was the Magnet Coordinator at HISD’s
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Discrimination, Employment Law, Litigation, Procedure, Retaliation

TxDOT former employee failed to establish disability discrimination or retaliation claims

Melissa K. Ferguson v. Texas Department of Transportation, 11-15-00110-CV (Tex. App. – Eastland, August 31, 2017). This is an employment disability discrimination and retaliation case where the Eastland Court of Appeals affirmed a judgment in favor of the employer. Ferguson was employed
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Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Procedure, Retaliation

Chief Justice of 13th Court of Appeals not entitled to qualified immunity in First Amendment retaliation in employment suit by staffing attorney

Anderson v. State of Texas, No.15-40836 (5th Cir. January 10, 2017) This is a First Amendment in employment case where the U.S. 5th Circuit denied a judge’s claim for qualified immunity while acting in his administrative capacity. This is a 43-page opinion
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Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Retaliation, Sec. 1983

Ex-Police Chief’s suit against Mayor was not “matter of public concern” in relation to Chief’s suit against City under First Amendment

Gibson v. Kilpatrick,15-60583(5th Cir. September 20,2016) This is a First Amendment retaliation in employment case where the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit held the employee’s speech was not on a matter of public concern. This is a continuing litigation
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Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Retaliation, Sec. 1983

Employee unable to establish terminating supervisor was aware of First Amendment activity, so summary judgment for employer was proper

Kristi Dearman v. Stone County School District, 15-60506 (5th Cir. August 11,2016) This is a First Amendment and procedural due process employment case where the U.S. Fifth Circuit affirmed the granting of the employer’s summary judgment motion. Dearman was an employee of
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Discrimination, Employment Law, Health and Safety, Litigation, Procedure, Retaliation

County employee entitled to proceed with “regarded as” disability claim after completing treatment for tuberculosis; all other claims dismissed under plea to the jurisdiction

El Paso County, Texas v. Mary Lou Vasquez 08-15-00086-CV  (Tex. App.- El Paso, May 5th 2016) This is an employment discrimination/retaliation case where the El Paso Court of Appeals reversed in part and affirmed in part the denial of the County’s plea
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Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Retaliation, Sec. 1983

U.S. Supreme Court holds, in matter of first impression, police officer is protected by 1st Amendment even though he did not engage in protected activity

Heffernan v. City of Paterson 14-1280 (U.S. April 26, 2016) This is a First Amendment in employment §1983 cause of action which appears to be a case of first impression. The United States Supreme Court held that even though a police officer
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