Kristen Rewa Obtains Dismissal of Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

Kristen Rewa, a partner in our Grand Rapids office, recently obtained dismissal of an employment discrimination lawsuit on behalf of a county and sheriff.

The plaintiff, a former deputy, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging sex discrimination and retaliation against her former employer. She alleged that she experienced a culture of sexism and hostility, incidents of inappropriate behavior from a supervisor, difficulties in receiving backup on calls, reassignment of overtime work, and disproportionately harsh discipline. She further claimed she was retaliated against for speaking out about issues within the sheriff’s office. The court granted the employer’s summary judgment motion. In so doing, the court determined that the plaintiff failed to present admissible evidence showing she was treated differently because of her sex. Her retaliation claims lacked a clear causal connection to her complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Additionally, the court determined that the plaintiff’s statements did not qualify for First Amendment protection because they were personal grievances rather than matters of public concern.

Ms. Rewa focuses her practice on law enforcement defense and litigation, municipal law, employment and labor law, and insurance defense. If you need assistance with legal matters related to Ms. Rewa’s areas of practice, she may be reached in our Grand Rapids office at (616) 975-7470 or krewa@cmda-law.com.