Summary Judgment Practice

• Author: Jeffrey C. Londa, Lara Cardin de Leon & Laura M. Franze
• Pages: 703-736

41-1

Chapter 41

SUMMARY JUDGMENT PRACTICE

Co-Authored by Jeffrey C. Londa, Lara Cardin de Leon &

Laura M. Franze

41:1. INTRODUCTION

41:2. LEGAL PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING SUMMARY JUDGMENT

A. Burden of Proof on Motion

1. State Standard

a. Plaintiff as Movant

b. Defendant as Movant

c. No-Evidence Motion

2. Federal Standard

B. Response to Summary Judgment Motion

1. Necessity and Contents

2. Standard of Review

C. Summary Judgment Reply

41:3. SUMMARY JUDGMENT PROCEDURE

A. Motion Papers to File

1. State Court

2. Federal Court

B. Filing Deadlines

1. State Court

a. Summary Judgment Motion

b. Response to Motion

c. Summary Judgment Reply

2. Federal Court

a. Summary Judgment Motion

b. Response to Motion

c. Summary Judgment Reply

TEXAS EMPLOYMENT LAW 41-2

C. Hearings

1. State Standard

2. Federal Standard

D. Continuances

41:4. SUMMARY JUDGMENT EVIDENCE

A. Pleadings

B. Discovery Responses

C. Deposition Testimony

D. Documents

E. Affidavits/Declarations

F. Objections to Evidence

41:5. SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN TITLE VII/TCHRA CASES

A. Texas Commission on Human Rights Act

B. Title VII and ADEA

C. Disparate Treatment Discrimination

1. Indirect Evidence of Discrimination

a. Prima Facie Case

b. Legitimate Non-Discriminatory Employment Decision

c. Pretext

2. Direct Evidence of Discrimination

D. Retaliation

1. Protected Activity

2. Adverse Employment Action

E. Disparate Impact

41:6. SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN EQUAL PAY ACT CASES

41:7. SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN WORKPLACE HARASSMENT CASES

A. Supervisor Harassment

1. Lack of Evidence to Support Prima Facie Case

2. Ellerth/Faragher Affirmative Defense

3. Constructive Discharge as Tangible Employment Action

B. Co-Worker Harassment

41-3 SUMMARY JUDGMENT PRACTICE

41:8. SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN ADA CASES

A. Disability

B. Qualified Individual

1. Essential Functions

2. Reasonable Accommodation

3. Qualification Standards

C. Plaintiff Seeking or Receiving Disability Benefits

41:9. SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT CASES

A. Plaintiff-Employee as Movant

B. Defendant-Employer as Movant

41:10. SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON STATE AND COMMON LAW CLAIMS

A. Workers’ Compensation Retaliation

B. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

1. Extreme and Outrageous Conduct

2. Severe Emotional Distress

C. Breach of Contract

D. Sabine Pilot Exception

41:11. INITIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT CONSIDERATIONS

A. Individual Liability

B. Scope of Administrative Charge of Discrimination

C. Administrative Limitations Period

D. Statute of Limitations—Filing a Lawsuit

41:12. OTHER SUMMARY JUDGMENT CONSIDERATIONS

A. Same Actor Inference

B. After-Acquired Evidence Doctrine

APPENDICES

Appendix 41-1 Comparison of State and Federal Summary Judgment Procedures

Appendix 41-2 Summary Judgment Evidence

Appendix 41-3 Supervisor Sexual Harassment Roadmap