Case: Strader v. CVS Health Corporation

4:23-cv-00038 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: Jan. 11, 2023

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 11, 2023, a nurse practitioner who claimed a religious opposition to abortion filed a lawsuit against CVS Health Corporation, CVS Health Solutions, LLC, Minuteclinic, LLC, and Minuteclinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas over alleged religious-based employment discrimination. Represented by non-profit legal organization (First Liberty Institute) and private counsel, the complaint alleged that CVS violated Title VII of the Civil R…

On January 11, 2023, a nurse practitioner who claimed a religious opposition to abortion filed a lawsuit against CVS Health Corporation, CVS Health Solutions, LLC, Minuteclinic, LLC, and Minuteclinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas over alleged religious-based employment discrimination. Represented by non-profit legal organization (First Liberty Institute) and private counsel, the complaint alleged that CVS violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Texas Labor Code, and the Texas Occupations Code by denying the nurse religious accommodation from prescribing contraceptive and abortifacient drugs and firing her because of her religious opposition to reproductive-related healthcare. The nurse sought injunctive relief via enjoining the discriminatory practice and ordering CVS to institute new policies designed to accommodate the religious beliefs and objections of employees and eradicate the effects of the discriminatory practices. The nurse also sought reinstatement, lost wages, compensation for past and future losses, punitive and nominal damages, and attorney’s fees and costs. 

As of April 2023, this case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Koki Kurosaki (4/7/2023)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

4:23-cv-00038

Complaint

Jan. 11, 2023

Jan. 11, 2023

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66714581/strader-v-cvs-health-corporation/

Last updated July 6, 2023, 3:14 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND against All Defendants filed by J Robyn Strader. (Filing fee $402; Receipt number ATXNDC-13432387) Party to submit summons(es) for issuance. In each Notice of Electronic Filing, the judge assignment is indicated, and a link to the Judges Copy Requirements and Judge Specific Requirements is provided. The court reminds the filer that any required copy of this and future documents must be delivered to the judge, in the manner prescribed, within three business days of filing. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) EEOC-Notice of Right to Sue, # 2 Exhibit(s) MinuteClinic Providers & Nurses Town Hall Summary-August 26, 2021, # 3 Cover Sheet) (Hacker, David) Modified on 1/11/2023 (mmw). (Entered: 01/11/2023)

Jan. 11, 2023

Jan. 11, 2023

Clearinghouse
2

Request for Clerk to issue Summons filed by J Robyn Strader. (Attachments: # 1 Summons-CVS Health Solutions, LLC, # 2 Summons-MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC, # 3 MinuteClinic, LLC) (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/11/2023)

Jan. 11, 2023

Jan. 11, 2023

PACER
3

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by J Robyn Strader. (Clerk QC note: No affiliate entered in ECF). (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/11/2023)

Jan. 11, 2023

Jan. 11, 2023

PACER
4

New Case Notes: A filing fee has been paid. File to: Judge Pittman. Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge. Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. Attorneys are further reminded that, if necessary, they must comply with Local Rule 83.10(a) within 14 days or risk the possible dismissal of this case without prejudice or without further notice. (wxc) (Entered: 01/12/2023)

Jan. 11, 2023

Jan. 11, 2023

PACER
5

Summons Issued as to CVS Health Corporation, CVS Health Solutions, LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC, MinuteClinic, LLC. (wxc) (Main Document 5 replaced on 1/12/2023) (wxc). (Entered: 01/12/2023)

Jan. 12, 2023

Jan. 12, 2023

PACER
6

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed as to CVS Health Corporation. Waiver sent on 1/19/2023. (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/23/2023)

Jan. 23, 2023

Jan. 23, 2023

PACER
7

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed as to CVS Health Solutions, LLC. Waiver sent on 1/19/2023. (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/23/2023)

Jan. 23, 2023

Jan. 23, 2023

PACER
8

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed as to MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC. Waiver sent on 1/19/2023. (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/23/2023)

Jan. 23, 2023

Jan. 23, 2023

PACER
9

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed as to MinuteClinic, LLC. Waiver sent on 1/19/2023. (Hacker, David) (Entered: 01/23/2023)

Jan. 23, 2023

Jan. 23, 2023

PACER
10

ORDER: The Court ORDERS that by January 26, 2023, Plaintiff shall file the entry of appearance of local counsel satisfying the requirements of Local Rule 83.10(a). Failure to do so may result in the imposition of sanctions or a dismissal without prejudice. (Ordered by Judge Mark Pittman on 1/23/2023) (sre) (Entered: 01/23/2023)

Jan. 23, 2023

Jan. 23, 2023

RECAP
11

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Jeffrey C Mateer on behalf of J Robyn Strader. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Mateer, Jeffrey) (Entered: 01/24/2023)

Jan. 24, 2023

Jan. 24, 2023

RECAP
12

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Stephanie N Taub on behalf of J Robyn Strader. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Taub, Stephanie) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

Jan. 31, 2023

Jan. 31, 2023

PACER
13

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Christine Kimberly Pratt on behalf of J Robyn Strader. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Pratt, Christine) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

Jan. 31, 2023

Jan. 31, 2023

PACER
14

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Jared Kelson on behalf of J Robyn Strader. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Kelson, Jared) (Entered: 02/10/2023)

Feb. 10, 2023

Feb. 10, 2023

PACER
15

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Jonathan Berry on behalf of J Robyn Strader. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Berry, Jonathan) (Entered: 02/10/2023)

Feb. 10, 2023

Feb. 10, 2023

PACER
16

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice with Certificate of Good Standing (Filing fee $100; Receipt number ATXNDC-13592385) filed by J Robyn Strader (Attachments: # 1 Additional Page(s) Court Admissions, # 2 Additional Page(s) Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)Attorney Douglas Peterson added to party J Robyn Strader(pty:pla) (Peterson, Douglas) (Entered: 03/15/2023)

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

PACER
16

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice with Certificate of Good Standing (Filing fee $100; Receipt number ATXNDC-13592385) filed by J Robyn Strader (Attachments: # 1 Additional Page(s) Court Admissions, # 2 Additional Page(s) Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)Attorney Douglas Peterson added to party J Robyn Strader(pty:pla) (Peterson, Douglas) (Entered: 03/15/2023)

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

PACER
17

ANSWER to 1 Complaint,,,,, filed by CVS Health Corporation, CVS Health Solutions, LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC, MinuteClinic, LLC. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms and Instructions found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. Attorneys are further reminded that, if necessary, they must comply with Local Rule 83.10(a) within 14 days or risk the possible dismissal of this case without prejudice or without further notice.Attorney Alyssa Marie Peterson added to party CVS Health Corporation(pty:dft), Attorney Alyssa Marie Peterson added to party CVS Health Solutions, LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Alyssa Marie Peterson added to party MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Alyssa Marie Peterson added to party MinuteClinic, LLC(pty:dft) (Peterson, Alyssa) (Entered: 03/20/2023)

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

RECAP
18

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by CVS Health Corporation, CVS Health Solutions, LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas, LLC, MinuteClinic, LLC. (Clerk QC note: No affiliate entered in ECF). (Peterson, Alyssa) (Entered: 03/20/2023)

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

PACER
19

ELECTRONIC ORDER granting 16 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Doug Peterson. Important Reminder: Unless excused for cause, an attorney who is not an ECF user must register within 14 days of the date the attorney appears in a case pursuant to LR 5.1(f) and LCrR 49.2(g). (Ordered by Judge Mark Pittman on 3/20/2023) (chmb)(tjp) (Entered: 03/20/2023)

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

PACER
20

ORDER: The Joint Report shall be filed on or before April 3, 2023. (Ordered by Judge Mark Pittman on 3/20/2023) (sre) (Entered: 03/20/2023)

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

RECAP

Order on Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

PACER

Order on Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

PACER
24

Order on Motion for Extension of Time

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

PACER
25

Answer to Complaint

April 7, 2023

April 7, 2023

RECAP
27

Scheduling Order

April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

RECAP
31

Order Setting Deadline/Hearing AND ~Util - Add and Terminate Attorneys

May 9, 2023

May 9, 2023

PACER
32

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

May 17, 2023

May 17, 2023

PACER

Order on Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Equal Employment

Reproductive Issues

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 11, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A nurse practitioner who was denied religious accommodation from prescribing contraceptive and abortifacient drugs and fired because of her religious opposition to reproductive-related healthcare.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

CVS Health Corporation (Keller, Tarrant), Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Hospital/Health Department

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

State law

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Medication abortion

Contraception

General:

Abortion

Discrimination-area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

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

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination

Type of Facility:

Non-government for-profit