Important Cases

Kroske v. US Bank Corp. - Christine M. Weaver represented Ms. Kroske against the bank in a 9th Circuit Court of appeals decision regarding age discrimination allegations against a national bank.  The Court determined that state discrimination laws apply to banking institutions even when the plaintiff was an officer of the bank.  The bank had argued that it was not subject to state discrimination laws because of the 1864 National Bank Act which allows a bank to dismiss its officers.  The 9th circuit strongly disagreed.

James Becker v. Harry Cashman, et ux et al - Christine M. Weaver represented the employer in a disability discrimination case.  The employer had hired the plaintiff for a second time knowing of his disability.  However, the plaintiff had severe performance problems including sleeping on the job and rude and boorish behavior with customers.  He was terminated.  The Court of Appeals for the state of Washington upheld the trial courts dismissal of the case since the employer was the same actor that hired him knowing of his disability and fired him.  There is a strong presumption when the same actor hires and fires the employee that the reason for the termination was not discriminatory in nature.