Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani New Jersey Partner Melissa J. Brown and Senior Counsel Jonathan R. Stuckel achieved six significant legal results. They successfully represented clients across a diverse range of matters, including a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit, a general discrimination case, a retaliation claim, a class action, a race discrimination claim, and a disability discrimination case.
Dismissal of Pregnancy Discrimination Suit
Brown and Stuckel successfully enforced the arbitration provision in their client’s employment contract, prompting a voluntary dismissal of claims in a New Jersey discrimination case. The plaintiff, a former employee of a school food services company, had alleged pregnancy discrimination and retaliatory discharge under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. GRSM promptly filed a motion to compel arbitration based on the binding agreement. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the court action in favor of arbitration.
Dismissal of Discrimination Case
Brown and Stuckel successfully enforced their client’s arbitration agreement, securing an early dismissal of claims in a New Jersey employment lawsuit. The plaintiff, a former employee of the client, had alleged race and gender discrimination, workplace harassment, and retaliation under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. GRSM moved quickly to compel arbitration pursuant to the employment agreement. After the court enforced the arbitration clause, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the suit with prejudice.
Dismissal of Retaliation Claim in Harassment Case
Brown and Stuckel secured dismissal of the retaliation claim against an apartment complex and its property manager in a New Jersey discrimination lawsuit. The plaintiff, a former tenant, had alleged a hostile environment of harassment and retaliatory eviction in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. GRSM filed a motion to dismiss the retaliation count, demonstrating that the complaint failed to establish a prima facie case of retaliation. The court granted GRSM’s motion and dismissed the retaliation claim.
Dismissal of Class Action
Brown and Stuckel represented a car dealership client in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in a putative Telephone Consumer Protection Act class action. The plaintiff claimed the dealership had made unauthorized robocalls to consumers, violating federal law. During early discovery, GRSM obtained call detail records and demonstrated that the dialed numbers were not associated with the dealership or its vendors, undermining the plaintiff’s case. With the plaintiff’s primary evidence discredited, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit before class certification.
No-Cause Finding in Race Discrimination Claim
Brown and Stuckel achieved a favorable resolution of a discrimination charge filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a salon owner. A former salon employee had alleged race-based discrimination and harassment following her termination. GRSM submitted evidence showing that the termination was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory business reasons unrelated to race. After reviewing the case, the EEOC determined there was insufficient evidence to support a discrimination claim and issued a no-cause determination.
No-Cause Finding in Disability Discrimination Case
Brown and Stuckel obtained a no-probable-cause finding from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) for their client in a disability discrimination complaint. A former employee had filed a discrimination charge but provided no documentation of any disability or request for an accommodation. GRSM demonstrated that the complainant had not identified any actual disability or sought any accommodation, leaving the charge unsupported. The PHRC agreed and closed the case with a no-cause determination.
These outcomes reflect the strength of the firm’s Employment and Commercial Litigation practices and GRSM’s ability to secure favorable outcomes for our clients. The South Jersey team collaborates with GRSM attorneys nationwide, leveraging the firm’s comprehensive national platform to deliver legal services for our clients.