On reconsideration, an auto worker’s FMLA retaliation claim can go to trial after all. Having already found fact issues material to his other claims, the court concluded it would be inconsistent not to send the retaliation claim to the jury ...

Tagged with: Civil Procedure Employment Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

Despite informed consent from both clients, a defendant’s attorney was disqualified from representing her on a drug charge because he had previously represented a material witness for the government. Background In a prior criminal drug prosecution, Defendant Lauren Hoback’s defense ...

Tagged with: Attorneys Criminal Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

Rain-induced sediment flows that have overcome Mountain Valley Pipeline’s erosion controls might not recur in the future, especially in light of heightened oversight by state and federal agencies. Therefore, preliminary injunctive relief is not appropriate. Background The Plaintiffs are landowners ...

Tagged with: Environmental Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon Real Estate Real Property Tort U.S. District Court - Western District

A woman and her mother sufficiently alleged defamation by a Golden Corral server, who publicly accused them of hiding food in their purses. But the court dismissed their claim for contract interference on account of their race and also struck ...

Tagged with: Civil Procedure Civil Rights Defamation Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon Tort U.S. District Court - Western District

An employee who was required to switch branches after reporting her pregnancy plausibly alleged an adverse employment action, noting that the transfer added time to her commute and interfered with her ability to put her school-aged children on the bus. ...

Tagged with: Civil Rights Employment Employment Discrimination Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

An employee failed to identify evidence that his supervisor’s lewd comments to him were because of (his) sex, but his employer’s varied explanations for terminating him after he complained precluded summary judgment as to retaliation. Because some evidence suggested that ...

Tagged with: Civil Rights Employment Employment Discrimination Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

Property owners must remove a gate impeding reasonable use of an easement on their property by the U.S. Forest Service, providing regulated recreational access to public lands. They erected the gate to mitigate illegal behavior resulting from public access. Background ...

Tagged with: Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon Real Estate Real Property U.S. District Court - Western District

As seasoned attorneys know, the lofty principles that attract aspiring lawyers can quickly be overshadowed by client emergencies, Sisyphean scheduling conundrums, unreasonable opposing counsel, billing targets, intrafirm politics, and understaffed courts. But from time to time, our esteemed judges take ...

Tagged with: Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen Judge David Bernhard Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon Judge Glen E. Conrad Judge Robert G. Doumar Judge Roger L. Gregory Justice D. Arthur Kelsey

Genuine issues of material fact precluded summary judgment on a plaintiff’s claims of interference and retaliation under the Family & Medical Leave Act. Background Plaintiff Cameron Felts began working as a welder for Volvo in February 2012. He was required ...

Tagged with: Employment Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon U.S. District Court - Western District

Farmers held to be working in concert with anonymous people in trees for the purpose of blocking construction of a pipeline, in violation of a prior order of the court, are in contempt of court and subject to fines. Background ...

Tagged with: Civil Procedure Eminent Domain Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon Real Estate Real Property U.S. District Court - Western District