Case: Smith v. United States Steel Corporation

2:05-cv-01359 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Filed Date: June 24, 2005

Closed Date: 2009

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On June 24, 2005, a job applicant who was rejected by defendant because she did not have two years heavy industrial experience, filed a class action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and 42 U.S.C. § 1981a against United States Steel Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division. On June 19, 2008, other named plaintiffs joined the suit and amended the complaint to include additional class action allegations. Plaintiffs, represent…

On June 24, 2005, a job applicant who was rejected by defendant because she did not have two years heavy industrial experience, filed a class action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and 42 U.S.C. § 1981a against United States Steel Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division. On June 19, 2008, other named plaintiffs joined the suit and amended the complaint to include additional class action allegations. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for declaratory judgment, equitable relief and money damages, claiming that defendant's reliance upon "heavy industrial experience" and other selection criteria had disparate impact on female applicants and that defendant had engaged in a pattern and practice of discriminating against females on the basis of their sex with respect to production positions.

On January 13, 2009, the parties filed a Joint Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement. On March 2, 2009, the Court (Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins) approved the settlement.

According to the settlement agreement, the company agreed to implement a new hiring process and to pay up to $580,000.00 to the Class Fund, along with plaintiffs' attorney fees and costs.

Summary Authors

Kunyi Zhang (6/9/2010)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5524105/parties/smith-v-united-states-steel-corporation/


Judge(s)

Hopkins, Virginia Emerson (Alabama)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Childs, Robert F. Jr. (Alabama)

Goldfarb, Jon Craig (Alabama)

Attorney for Defendant

Hattaway, Ashley H. (Alabama)

Lucas, Michael L. (Alabama)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:05-cv-01359

Docket

March 2, 2009

March 2, 2009

Docket
1

2:05-cv-01359

Complaint

June 24, 2005

June 24, 2005

Complaint
48

2:05-cv-01359

Amended Class Action Complaint

June 19, 2008

June 19, 2008

Complaint
55

2:05-cv-01359

Preliminary Approval Order

Dec. 3, 2008

Dec. 3, 2008

Order/Opinion
59

2:05-cv-01359

Joint Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement

Feb. 13, 2009

Feb. 13, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
60

2:05-cv-01359

Joint Submission in Support of Joint Motion for Final Approval of a Class Action Settlement

Feb. 13, 2009

Feb. 13, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
62

2:05-cv-01359

Memorandum Opinion Approving Class Action Settlement and Supporting Final Order and Judgment

March 2, 2009

March 2, 2009

Order/Opinion
63

2:05-cv-01359

Final Order and Judgment

March 2, 2009

March 2, 2009

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5524105/smith-v-united-states-steel-corporation/

Last updated April 7, 2025, 11 a.m.

Docket for: Smith v. United States Steel Corporation
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 June 23, 2005

COMPLAINT against United States Steel Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works (Filing fee $ 250.00 receipt # 200 216565) , filed by Linda Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(JLC, ) (Entered: 06/24/2005)

PACER
2 June 23, 2005

Request for service by certified mail filed by Linda Smith. (JLC, ) (Entered: 06/24/2005)

PACER
3 June 23, 2005

Summons Issued as to United States Steel Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works, by certified mail. (JLC, ) (Entered: 06/24/2005)

PACER
4 June 28, 2005

SUMMONS Returned Executed United States Steel Corporation served on 6/17/2005, answer due 7/7/2005; United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works served on 6/17/2005, answer due 7/7/2005. (JLC, ) (Entered: 06/28/2005)

PACER
5 July 11, 2005

MOTION for Extension of Time To Answer or Otherwise Respond to Complaint by United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 07/11/2005)

PACER
July 12, 2005

ORDER granting 5 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 7/12/05. (ACW) (Entered: 07/12/2005)

PACER
6 Aug. 16, 2005

ANSWER to Complaint by United States Steel Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works.(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 08/16/2005)

PACER
7 Aug. 16, 2005

MOTION to Dismiss United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works by United States Steel Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, Fairfield Works. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 08/16/2005)

PACER
Aug. 16, 2005

ORDER granting 7 Motion to Dismiss. In addition, all pleadings filed in this matter from this date forward must be filed in 14 point type. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 8/16/05. (ACW) (Entered: 08/16/2005)

PACER
8 Aug. 17, 2005

UNIFORM INITIAL ORDER − with appendices attached. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 8/17/05. (YMB, ) (Entered: 08/17/2005)

PACER
10 Sept. 13, 2005

REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 09/13/2005)

PACER
11 Sept. 16, 2005

SCHEDULING ORDER: Discovery due by 6/30/2006. A deadline for dispositive motions shall be set after the class certification issue is resolved. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 9/16/05. (YMB, ) (Entered: 09/16/2005)

PACER
12 Oct. 6, 2005

Corporate Disclosure Statement by United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 10/06/2005)

PACER
13 Oct. 12, 2005

Joint MOTION for Hipaa Order by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 10/12/2005)

PACER
14 Oct. 13, 2005

QUALIFIED PROTECTIVE ORDER . Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 10/13/2005. (JLC, ) (Entered: 10/13/2005)

PACER
15 Oct. 21, 2005

AMENDED DOCUMENT by Linda Smith. Amendment to 8 Uniform Initial Order (Plaintiff's Supplement to Complaint) . (Attachments: # 1 Supplement EEOC Charge# 2 Supplement Right to Sue)(Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 10/21/2005)

PACER
16 Dec. 19, 2005

Joint MOTION for Protective Order by United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 12/19/2005)

PACER
17 Dec. 22, 2005

ORDER GRANTING 16 Joint MOTION for Protective Order filed by United States Steel Corporation. PROTECTIVE ORDER. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 12/22/2005. (JLC, ) (Entered: 12/22/2005)

PACER
18 Feb. 2, 2006

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time of Pending Deadlines by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/02/2006)

PACER
Feb. 2, 2006

ORDER granting 18 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 2/2/06. (ACW) (Entered: 02/02/2006)

PACER
19 April 26, 2006

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time (Joint Motion for a Thirty−Day Extension of Pending Deadlines) by Linda Smith. (Weiner, Maury) (Entered: 04/26/2006)

PACER
April 27, 2006

ORDER granting 19 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 4/27/06. (ACW) (Entered: 04/27/2006)

PACER
20 June 12, 2006

Third MOTION for Extension of Time (Joint Motion for Extension of Pending Deadlines) by Linda Smith. (Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 06/12/2006)

PACER
June 13, 2006

ORDER granting 20 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 6/13/06. (ACW) (Entered: 06/13/2006)

PACER
July 3, 2006

Set/Reset Deadlines: Discovery due by 10/28/2006. A deadline for dispositive motions will be set after the class certification issue is resolved. (YMB) (Entered: 07/03/2006)

PACER
21 July 20, 2006

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time by Linda Smith. (Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 07/20/2006)

PACER
July 20, 2006

ORDER granting 21 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 7/20/06. (ACW) (Entered: 07/20/2006)

PACER
22 July 24, 2006

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Linda Smith. (Simon, Kell) (Entered: 07/24/2006)

PACER
July 30, 2006

ORDER granting 22 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Kell A Simon terminated. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 7/30/2006. (Hopkins, Virginia) (Entered: 07/30/2006)

PACER
23 Sept. 5, 2006

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time of Pending Deadlines by Linda Smith. (Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 09/05/2006)

PACER
24 Sept. 7, 2006

ORDER granting 23 Motion for Extension of Time. No further extensions will be granted. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 9/7/06. (YMB) (Entered: 09/07/2006)

PACER
26 Nov. 16, 2006

MOTION to Amend/Correct (Opposed) by Linda Smith. (Attachments: # 1 − Amended Complaint)(Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 11/16/2006)

PACER
27 Nov. 17, 2006

ORDER SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE; All non−summary judgment motions in this Court should conform to "Exhibit B", attached hereto and made a part of this Order as if fully set out herein. Any non−summary judgment motions filed after the entry of this Order shall comply with the provisions of Exhibit B without further Order from the Court. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 11/17/2006. (JLC, ) (Entered: 11/17/2006)

PACER
28 Nov. 28, 2006

RESPONSE in Opposition re 26 MOTION to Amend/Correct (Opposed) filed by United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit C# 4 Exhibit D# 5 Exhibit E# 6 Exhibit F# 7 Exhibit G# 8 Exhibit H# 9 Exhibit I# 10 Exhibit J# 11 Exhibit K# 12 Exhibit L)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 11/28/2006)

PACER
29 Dec. 1, 2006

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 28 Response in Opposition to Motion, (Unopposed) by Linda Smith. (Weiner, Maury) (Entered: 12/01/2006)

PACER
Dec. 1, 2006

ORDER granting 29 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 12/1/06. (YMB) (Entered: 12/01/2006)

PACER
30 Dec. 5, 2006

MOTION to Stay Unopposed Motion for Sixty (60) Day Settlement Stay by Linda Smith. (Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 12/05/2006)

PACER
31 Dec. 6, 2006

NOTICE of Appearance by Ashley Hattaway on behalf of United States Steel Corporation (Hattaway, Ashley) (Entered: 12/06/2006)

PACER
32 Dec. 6, 2006

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert L Wiggins, Jr on behalf of Linda Smith (Wiggins, Robert) (Entered: 12/06/2006)

PACER
Dec. 6, 2006

ORDER granting 30 Motion to Stay. The parties shall file a joint status report no later than February 5, 2007. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 12/6/06. (ACW) (Entered: 12/06/2006)

PACER
33 Feb. 1, 2007

STATUS REPORT and Request for Sixty Day Extension of Stay by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/01/2007)

PACER
Feb. 1, 2007

ORDER granting 26 Motion to Extend Stay. The parties shall file a joint status report no later than April 5, 2007. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 2/1/2007. (Hopkins, Virginia) (Entered: 02/01/2007)

PACER
34 March 30, 2007

STATUS REPORT and Unopposed Request for Sixty Day Extension of Stay by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 03/30/2007)

PACER
April 2, 2007

ORDER GRANTING 34 Joint Status Report to the Court, and Unopposed Request for Sixty Day Extension of Stay. Joint Status Report due May 31, 2007. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 4/2/07. (ACW) (Entered: 04/02/2007)

PACER
35 May 30, 2007

STATUS REPORT (Joint) and Unopposed Request for Sixty Day Extension of Stay by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 05/30/2007)

PACER
May 30, 2007

ORDER GRANTING Unopposed Request for Sixty Day Extension of Stay 35 − parties are to file report by August 1, 2007. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 5/30/07. (ACW) (Entered: 05/30/2007)

PACER
36 Aug. 1, 2007

STATUS REPORT by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 08/01/2007)

PACER
Aug. 2, 2007

ORDER GRANTING Unopposed Request for Ninety Day Extension of [doc.36] Status Report − parties are to file report by November 1, 2007. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 8/2/07. (ACW) (Entered: 08/02/2007)

PACER
Nov. 2, 2007

ORDER GRANTING 37 Unopposed Request for Ninety Day Extension of Stay. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 11/2/07. (ACW) (Entered: 11/02/2007)

PACER
38 Jan. 22, 2008

ORDER that the parties are to file, no later than Friday, February 15, 2008, a joint report regarding the status of settlement discussions. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 1/22/2008. (JLC, ) (Entered: 01/22/2008)

PACER
39 Jan. 28, 2008

STATUS REPORT and Unopposed Request for Fourty−Five Day Extension of Settlement Stay by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 01/28/2008)

PACER
40 Jan. 30, 2008

ORDER GRANTING 39 Unopposed Request for 45 Day Extension of Settlement Stay as set out herein. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 1/30/2008. (JLC, ) (Entered: 01/30/2008)

PACER
41 March 17, 2008

STATUS REPORT And Unopposed Request for Forty−Five Day Extension of Settlement Stay by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 03/17/2008)

PACER
March 18, 2008

ORDER GRANTING 41 Unopposed Request for Forty−Five Day Extension of Settlement Stay filed by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 3/18/08. (ACW) (Entered: 03/18/2008)

PACER
42 April 29, 2008

STATUS REPORT and Unoppossed Request for 45−day Extension of Settlement Stay by Linda Smith. (Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 04/29/2008)

PACER
43 April 30, 2008

ORDER GRANTING 42 Request for 45 day Extension of Settlement Stay. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 4/30/2008. (JLC, ) (Entered: 04/30/2008)

PACER
44 June 13, 2008

STATUS REPORT by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 06/13/2008)

PACER
45 June 16, 2008

ORDER LIFTING STAY; SETTING DEADLINES re: 44 Joint Status Report, to the extent the report asks the court to lift the stay previously imposed in this case, the request is GRANTED and the stay in this case is LIFTED. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 6/16/2008. (KSS, ) (Entered: 06/16/2008)

PACER
46 June 17, 2008

MOTION to Amend/Correct Complaint by Linda Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. A. Amended Class Action Complaint)(Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 06/17/2008)

PACER
47 June 18, 2008

ORDER GRANTING 46 MOTION to Amend Complaint; Terming 26 Motion and 28 Opposition as Moot. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 6/18/2008. (JLC, ) (Entered: 06/18/2008)

PACER
48 June 19, 2008

AMENDED COMPLAINT against United States Steel Corporation, filed by Linda Smith.(Goldfarb, Jon) (Entered: 06/19/2008)

PACER
49 July 2, 2008

Joint MOTION for Settlement − Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement by United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A −)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 07/02/2008)

PACER
50 July 2, 2008

Brief re 49 Joint MOTION for Settlement − Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement [Submission in Support of Joint Motion] filed by United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 07/02/2008)

PACER
Sept. 4, 2008

NOTICE of Hearing: Telephone Conference set for Friday, 9/19/2008 at 10:00 AM, before Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins. The call will be initiated by court staff.(YMB) (Entered: 09/04/2008)

PACER
Sept. 19, 2008

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins: Telephone Conference held on 9/19/2008. (YMB) (Entered: 09/19/2008)

PACER
51 Nov. 18, 2008

Joint MOTION to Withdraw Documents Numbered 49 &50 by United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 11/18/2008)

PACER
52 Nov. 21, 2008

Joint MOTION for Leave to File Tentative Class List Under Seal by United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 11/21/2008)

PACER
53 Nov. 21, 2008

Joint MOTION for Settlement (Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement) by United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A − Class Action Settlement Agreement, # 2 Exhibit 1 to Settlement Agreement − Claim Form, # 3 Exhibit 2 to Settlement Agreement − Process Summary, # 4 Exhibit 3 to Settlement Agreement − Court Ordered Notice, # 5 Exhibit 4 to Settlement Agreement − Smith Release, # 6 Exhibit 5 to Settlement Agreement − General Release, # 7 Exhibit 6 to Settlement Agreement − Preliminary Approval Order, # 8 Exhibit 7 to Settlement Agreement − Final Order)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 11/21/2008)

PACER
Nov. 24, 2008

ORDER granting 52 Motion for Leave to File. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 11/24/08. (ACW) (Entered: 11/24/2008)

PACER
55 Dec. 3, 2008

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER GRANTING 53 Joint MOTION for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 12/4/2008. (JLC, ) (Entered: 12/04/2008)

PACER
56 Dec. 29, 2008

NOTICE to Opt Out of Class Action by Atrina Pugh. (JLC, ) (Entered: 12/30/2008)

PACER
57 Jan. 8, 2009

NOTICE to Opt−Out by Susan L. Hurley. (JLC, ) (Entered: 01/08/2009)

PACER
58 Feb. 10, 2009

NOTICE by Linda Smith re 55 Order, Terminate Motions Notice of Filing Claims Administrator Report pursuant to Preliminary Approval Order (Attachments: # 1 Attachment)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/10/2009)

PACER
59 Feb. 13, 2009

Joint MOTION for Settlement [Final Approval of Class Action Settlement] by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/13/2009)

PACER
60 Feb. 13, 2009

Brief re 59 Joint MOTION for Settlement [Final Approval of Class Action Settlement] filed by Linda Smith, United States Steel Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 − Excerpts from the Deposition of Larry Anthony, # 2 Exhibit 2 − Excerpts from the Deposition of Charles Bennick, # 3 Exhibit 3 − APT Report)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/13/2009)

PACER
Feb. 20, 2009

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins: Fairness Hearing held on 2/20/2009. Written order to follow. (Court Reporter Chanetta Sinkfield.) (YMB) (Entered: 02/20/2009)

PACER
61 Feb. 25, 2009

NOTICE by Linda Smith Notice of Filing Supplemental Claims Adminstrator Report (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Supplemental Claims Adminstrator Report)(Lucas, Michael) (Entered: 02/25/2009)

PACER
62 March 2, 2009

MEMORANDUM OPINION APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND SUPPORTING FINAL ORDER AND JUDGMENT. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 3/2/2009. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(JLC, )

RECAP
63 March 2, 2009

FINAL ORDER AND JUDGMENT DISMISSING CASE WITH PREJUDICE in accordance with the 62 Memorandum Opinion entered herewith. The 59 Joint MOTION for Settlement, Final Approval of Class Action Settlement is GRANTED. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 3/2/2009. (JLC, ) (Entered: 03/02/2009)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Alabama

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Private Employment Class Actions

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 24, 2005

Closing Date: 2009

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Class of female applicants to defendant's entry level production positions, who alleged that they were rejected because of their sex.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

United States Steel Corporation

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Alabama 2:05-cv-01359

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols

Hire

Utilize objective hiring/promotion criteria

Amount Defendant Pays: $580,000.00

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Hiring

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Recommended Citation