Summary Judgment – Breach of Contract – Age Discrimination

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Joseph S. Roberts v. Columbia College Chicago, et al

Case No.: 15-2079

Officials: BAUER and HAMILTON,Circuit Judges, and PETERSON, * District Judge

Focus: Summary Judgment – Breach of Contract – Age Discrimination

Appellant makes baseless claims in response to termination stemming from plagiarizing allegations.

“In this case, Love conducted her own investigation into whether to terminate Roberts’ employment. She read Roberts’ Economics for Arts Entrepreneurs and Managers and compared the controversial chapters with the specific un‐credited sections from Sichel and Eckstein’s Basic Economic Concepts. By examining the primary sources, she determined for herself that Roberts had committed plagiarism. In addition, Love consulted with Nichols after Nichols had previously met with Roberts regarding the situation. Although Love also reviewed Ravanas’ memorandum, itis clear that she conducted a “meaningful and independent investigation” into the matter apart from relying on Ravanas’ recommendations. Further, Roberts does not contest the accuracy of Ravanas’ memorandum, and in fact admitted the accuracy of substantially all of the allegations contained therein. Also, there is no evidence that any other tenured professor, of any age, had engaged in similar plagiarism and had not been fired. Thus, there is no reasonable inference that Ravanas’ age hostility against Roberts manipulated Love’s decision to terminate Roberts’ employment.”

Affirmed

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.