Hemphill ISD granted successful Summary Judgment

by Marcos Mendoza

In a recent suit, a plaintiff sued in Federal Court, claiming the District discriminated against him because of his race, in violation of Title VII, 42 USC 1981 and 42 USC 1983, by failing to place him into various positions with the District. Defense counsel showed the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to refute the District’s legitimate, non-discriminatory contention it hired the other candidates because they were better qualified.

A plaintiff may be able to demonstrate an employer’s claim to have promoted the better qualified employee is a pretext, by showing plaintiff’s own qualifications are superior. However, the subjective belief in the superiority of one’s own qualifications is not sufficient. 

The Motion for Summary Judgment was granted in favor of the District, thus ending the necessity of a full trial. The District was defended by Kelli Karczewski of Feldman Rogers Morris & Grover.