Bradshaw Attorneys Successful in Defending Claims Made in Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment in an employment discrimination lawsuit by a former police officer against the City of Carlisle, Iowa, and several of its officials. The defendants were represented in both the trial and appellate courts by Bradshaw attorneys Patrick D. Smith and Amy R. Teas.

The plaintiff, a female police officer, alleged several claims against the City, including gender discrimination and harassment, retaliation, blacklisting, intentional interference with contract, and intentional interference with prospective business advantage. The plaintiff had resigned her position following what she claimed was a discriminatory decision to extend her probationary period for six months. The plaintiff signed a release after she resigned, but claimed the release was not enforceable. She also alleged she was a victim of post-employment retaliation and that the City tried to prevent her from obtaining employment with other municipalities in the metropolitan area.

The trial court, affirmed by the Eighth Circuit, ruled the release was enforceable, and that there was insufficient admissible evidence of post-employment retaliation.