Case: Sanders v. District of Columbia

1:22-cv-02259 | U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 1, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 1, 2022, four Black female firefighters filed suit against the District of Columbia, alleging that D.C. Fire and EMS (DC FEMS) discriminated against them on the basis of race and gender. Plaintiffs alleged discriminatory pay, disciplinary, and overtime assignment practices in violation of Title VII, and sought injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as back, lost wages, and compensatory damages. Despite obtaining paramedic certifications that entitle DC FEMS to 15% premium to their…

On August 1, 2022, four Black female firefighters filed suit against the District of Columbia, alleging that D.C. Fire and EMS (DC FEMS) discriminated against them on the basis of race and gender. Plaintiffs alleged discriminatory pay, disciplinary, and overtime assignment practices in violation of Title VII, and sought injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as back, lost wages, and compensatory damages.

Despite obtaining paramedic certifications that entitle DC FEMS to 15% premium to their base pay, Plaintiffs were denied this premium because they were in the Fire Prevention Division. While Plaintiffs were unlikely to use their paramedic skills in the course of their employment in this unit, they nonetheless had to maintain their certifications for their significant overtime work and for inevitable transfer or promotion to other units. The decision not to award premium pay to the Fire Prevention Division affected a very small group of people, the majority of whom were African American and four of whom were African American women.  

Plaintiffs alleged that the discipline procedures at DC FEMS were stricter for African Americans and African American women. Plaintiffs further alleged that the overtime assignment practices discriminated against African Americans and African American women because Lieutenants could and did manipulate the assignment process to favor their preferred employees and to disadvantage Plaintiffs.  

On August 4, 2022, the case was assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. As of December 2022, litigation remained ongoing.

Summary Authors

Anna Lennon (12/21/2022)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:22-cv-02259

Complaint; Jury Trial Demanded

Aug. 1, 2022

Aug. 1, 2022

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64860280/sanders-v-district-of-columbia/

Last updated March 19, 2023, 3 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT Plaintiffs Jadonna Sanders, Shalonda Smith, Takeva Thomas, Bolatito Ajose against DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9409443) filed by JADONNA SANDERS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/01/2022)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

Aug. 1, 2022

Aug. 1, 2022

Clearinghouse
2

SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, District of Columbia Attorney General, and the District of Columbia Mayor. (zmrl) (Entered: 08/04/2022)

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER
3

REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to Mayor of the District of Columbia re 1 Complaint, filed by JADONNA SANDERS. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by JADONNA SANDERS.(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/04/2022)

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER

Case Assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. (zmrl)

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to pamkeith@centerforemploymentjustice.com, cc'd 1 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Missing/incorrect summonses. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to issue., 2. Missing DC MAYOR Summons (zmrl, )

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER

Notice of QC- New Case

Aug. 4, 2022

Aug. 4, 2022

PACER
4

STANDING ORDER. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on August 5, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 08/05/2022)

Aug. 5, 2022

Aug. 5, 2022

PACER
5

AMENDED COMPLAINT against DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA with Jury Demand filed by JADONNA SANDERS, BOLATITO AJOSE, TAKEVA THOMAS, SHALONDA SMITH. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/31/2022)

Aug. 31, 2022

Aug. 31, 2022

PACER
6

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Addo, Michael) (Entered: 09/27/2022)

Sept. 27, 2022

Sept. 27, 2022

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING defendant's 6 Consent Motion to Enlarge Time to Respond to Plaintiffs' Complaint, and DIRECTING defendant to answer or otherwise respond to plaintiffs' Amended Complaint by October 27, 2022. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 28, 2022. (lcbah2)

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer to the Amended Complaint due by 10/27/2022. (ztg)

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda Torres on behalf of All Defendants (Torres, Amanda) (Entered: 10/11/2022)

Oct. 11, 2022

Oct. 11, 2022

PACER

Notice of QC

Oct. 11, 2022

Oct. 11, 2022

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR re 7 Notice of Appearance; emailed to amanda.torres@dc.gov, cc'd 3 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Please note the following deficiency and file/refile document as instructed, 2. Two-part document; second docket entry is required, 3. Counsel has not filed an appearance in the case; Notice of Appearance is required (LCrR 44.5(a)), 4. Martha J. Mullen needs to enter their own notice of appearance using their own ECF login/password. (zed, )

Oct. 11, 2022

Oct. 11, 2022

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda Torres on behalf of DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Torres, Amanda) (Entered: 10/13/2022)

Oct. 13, 2022

Oct. 13, 2022

PACER
9

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Mullen, Martha) (Entered: 10/27/2022)

Oct. 27, 2022

Oct. 27, 2022

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING defendant's 9 Consent Motion to Extend, and DIRECTING defendant to file, by November 3, 2022, any response to plaintiffs' 1 Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on October 28, 2022. (lcbah2)

Oct. 28, 2022

Oct. 28, 2022

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Oct. 28, 2022

Oct. 28, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer to the Complaint due by 11/3/2022. (ztg)

Oct. 31, 2022

Oct. 31, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Oct. 31, 2022

Oct. 31, 2022

PACER
10

MOTION to Dismiss or MOTION for Summary Judgment by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Torres, Amanda). Added MOTION for Summary Judgment on 11/8/2022 (zed). (Entered: 11/03/2022)

Nov. 3, 2022

Nov. 3, 2022

PACER
11

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 11/09/2022)

Nov. 9, 2022

Nov. 9, 2022

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING plaintiffs' 11 Consent Motion for Enlargement of Time to File Response to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and for Partial Summary Judgment, and DIRECTING plaintiffs to file, by December 17, 2022, any response to defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 10, 2022. (lcbah2)

Nov. 10, 2022

Nov. 10, 2022

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Nov. 10, 2022

Nov. 10, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Nov. 14, 2022

Nov. 14, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment due by 12/17/2022. (ztg)

Nov. 14, 2022

Nov. 14, 2022

PACER
12

RESPONSE re 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit EXHIBIT 1 to Opposition to MTD, # 2 Exhibit EXHIBIT 2 to Opp. to MTD)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 12/19/2022)

Dec. 19, 2022

Dec. 19, 2022

PACER
13

MOTION to Amend/Correct 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit EXHIBIT 1 to Mot. Leave Amd, # 2 Exhibit REDLINE of 2d Am. Comp)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 12/19/2022)

Dec. 19, 2022

Dec. 19, 2022

PACER

.Order

Jan. 4, 2023

Jan. 4, 2023

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING defendant to SHOW CAUSE, by January 11, 2023, why plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint should not be granted in light of defendant's lack of objection and why defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment should not be denied as moot subject to plaintiffs' filing of a Second Amended Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 4, 2023. (lcbah2)

Jan. 4, 2023

Jan. 4, 2023

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to Show Cause due by 1/11/2023. (ztg)

Jan. 5, 2023

Jan. 5, 2023

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Jan. 5, 2023

Jan. 5, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Dismiss AND Order on Motion for Summary Judgment

Jan. 17, 2023

Jan. 17, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion for Summary Judgment AND Order on Motion to Dismiss

Jan. 17, 2023

Jan. 17, 2023

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless), given defendant's untimeliness in opposing plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint and in responding to the Court's January 4, 2023, Order to Show Cause regarding plaintiffs' pending motion and the potential mootness of defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint by the January 11, 2023, deadline, GRANTING plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint and DENYING AS MOOT defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment. See Gray v. D.C. Pub. Schs., 688 F. Supp. 2d 1, 6 (D.D.C. 2010) (noting general rule that "[w]hen a plaintiff amends [his] complaint, it renders a motion to dismiss that complaint moot"). Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 17, 2023. (lcbah2)

Jan. 17, 2023

Jan. 17, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Summary Judgment AND Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Dismiss

Jan. 17, 2023

Jan. 17, 2023

PACER

.Order

Jan. 19, 2023

Jan. 19, 2023

PACER

MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING plaintiffs to refile [13-1] Second Amended Complaint on the docket due to an error in the existing submission, which is missing a signature from counsel of record and has paragraphs missing in comparison to [13-2] Redline of Second Amended Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 19, 2023. (lcbah2)

Jan. 19, 2023

Jan. 19, 2023

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 1, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Four African American female D.C. firefighters

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

D.C. Fire and EMS, City

Defendant Type(s):

Fire

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

42 U.S.C. § 1981

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

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination-area:

Other Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc)

Pay / Benefits

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Sex discrimination

Race:

Black

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female