Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani attorneys Amanda A. King and Lilli H. Friedman successfully secured summary judgment in favor of their client, a New Jersey state trooper, in a First Amendment retaliation and racial discrimination lawsuit filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, in federal court in the District of New Jersey.
The plaintiff, also a former New Jersey state trooper, alleged that he was wrongfully not reenlisted to the New Jersey State Police in retaliation for exercising his First Amendment right to free speech and due to racial discrimination. The GRSM team presented their case that the plaintiff’s termination was based on repeated violations of the employer’s policies and procedures and that the plaintiff’s speech was not protected under law. The plaintiff could not refute the GRSM team’s position, and he was unable to establish any violation of his First Amendment rights or a prima facie case of racial discrimination.
The district court agreed with GRSM’s arguments that the non-reenlistment was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons and that no First Amendment violation occurred, granting summary judgment on all of the plaintiff’s claims against GRSM’s client.
This victory highlights the experience and strategic advantage of GRSM’s Employment practice, which employers across all 50 states rely on to navigate high-stakes litigation with confidence. With nearly 500 attorneys focused on employment law, GRSM provides a powerhouse defense strategy that helps businesses—from Fortune 500 companies to closely held enterprises—mitigate risk, resolve disputes efficiently, and avoid the costly disruptions that employment claims can trigger.