Johnson v. J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc.

Filing 39

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER that the 26 MOTION for Summary Judgment is DENIED; Mediation must occur by 11/17/2014; Pretrial Conference is set for 11/24/2014 01:30 AM in Federal Courthouse, Huntsville, AL before Judge C Lynwood Smith Jr., as more fully set out in order. Signed by Judge C Lynwood Smith, Jr on 10/6/2014. (Attachments: # 1 Pretrial Instructions)(AHI )

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FILED 2014 Oct-06 PM 02:49 U.S. DISTRICT COURT N.D. OF ALABAMA UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHEASTERN DIVISION CHANDA JOHNSON, Plaintiff, vs. J.C. PENNEY CORPORATION, INC., Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil Action No. CV-13-S-1088-NE MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Plaintiff, Chanda Johnson, asserts claims against her former employer, J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (“J.C. Penney”), for discrimination and retaliation under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., interference with her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (“FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., and retaliation for exercising her rights under the FMLA.1 The case currently is before the court on defendant’s motion for summary judgment.2 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 provides that a court “shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). In other words, summary judgment is proper “after adequate time for discovery and 1 See doc. no. 1 (Complaint). 2 Doc. no. 26. upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). “In making this determination, the court must review all evidence and make all reasonable inferences in favor of the party opposing summary judgment.” Chapman v. AI Transport, 229 F.3d 1012, 1023 (11th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (quoting Haves v. City of Miami, 52 F.3d 918, 921 (11th Cir. 1995)). Inferences in favor of the nonmoving party are not unqualified, however. “[A]n inference is not reasonable if it is only a guess or a possibility, for such an inference is not based on the evidence, but is pure conjecture and speculation.” Daniels v. Twin Oaks Nursing Home, 692 F.2d 1321, 1324 (11th Cir. 1983) (alteration supplied). Moreover, [t]he mere existence of some factual dispute will not defeat summary judgment unless that factual dispute is material to an issue affecting the outcome of the case. The relevant rules of substantive law dictate the materiality of a disputed fact. A genuine issue of material fact does not exist unless there is sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party for a reasonable jury to return a verdict in its favor. Chapman, 229 F.3d at 1023 (quoting Haves, 52 F.3d at 921) (emphasis and alteration supplied). See also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 251-52 (1986) (asking “whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a -2- matter of law”). Upon review of the parties’ pleadings, briefs, and evidentiary submissions, the court concludes there are genuine issues of material fact with regard to: whether defendant failed to reasonably accommodate plaintiff’s disability by altering her work schedule; whether defendant’s proffered legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for its decision to terminate plaintiff’s employment actually were a mere pretext for a discriminatory or retaliatory motive; and, whether defendant interfered with plaintiff’s rights under the FMLA. Accordingly, defendant’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED. This court is of the opinion that this dispute could be resolved by mediation Accordingly, it is ordered that the parties select a mediator on or before October 21, 2014, and proceed to mediation in accordance with this court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Plan. If the parties fail to agree upon a mediator within the time set forth herein, the court will select a mediator from its panel of neutrals. Mediation must occur on or before November 17, 2014. The parties are directed to inform the court of the name, address, and telephone number of the mediator, as well as the date for mediation. Communication with the court regarding any aspect of the mediation ordered shall be directed to Mrs. Lisa Waters, 101 Holmes Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, telephone 256-533-9490. -3- In the event that mediation is unsuccessful, a pretrial conference is set for Monday, November 24, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., in the United States Courthouse located at 101 Holmes Avenue in Huntsville, Alabama, in accordance with the attached instructions. DONE this 6th day of October, 2014. ______________________________ United States District Judge -4-

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