Case: Dawson v. H & H Electric Inc

4:14-cv-00583 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Filed Date: Sept. 29, 2014

Closed Date: Oct. 2, 2015

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case concerns a transgender electrician who alleged she was fired because of her transition. It was filed on September 29, 2014, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and assigned to District Judge Susan Webber Wright. Plaintiff was employed as a licensed journeyman electrician for four years before she began her transition and changed her legal name. Her employer told her not to use her new name and to not let her transition cause any issues in the workplace. She…

This case concerns a transgender electrician who alleged she was fired because of her transition. It was filed on September 29, 2014, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and assigned to District Judge Susan Webber Wright. Plaintiff was employed as a licensed journeyman electrician for four years before she began her transition and changed her legal name. Her employer told her not to use her new name and to not let her transition cause any issues in the workplace. She was then fired for being “too much of a distraction.” Represented by private attorneys as well as the ACLU and the ACLU of Arkansas, Plaintiff sued her employer claiming sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Because this case happened before gender identity discrimination was held to fall within the bounds of sex discrimination (see Bostock v. Clayton County), her claim was of discrimination based on gender stereotypes. Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief (reinstatement); back pay and compensatory and punitive damages; and attorneys’ fees.

Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment on June 5, 2015. It argued that the circumstances of Plaintiff’s dismissal did not give rise to an inference of discrimination, and even if they did, Defendant’s stated reason for dismissal—threatening to sue a customer—was not pretextual. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed an amicus brief in the case to argue that discrimination on the basis of gender identity should be considered sex discrimination for the purposes of Title VII.

On September 15, 2015, Judge Wright denied Defendant’s motion for summary judgment. 2015 WL 5437101. She found that Plaintiff had sufficiently pleaded enough facts to state a legally viable claim of sex discrimination. Specifically, Plaintiff had presented enough evidence that a reasonable juror could both infer discrimination from the circumstances and find that the Defendant’s provided reason for the termination was simply a pretext.

Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on September 23, 2015, that removed her request for compensatory and punitive damages but was otherwise unchanged. Shortly afterward, the parties entered a private settlement, the details of which were not disclosed. The case was dismissed with prejudice on October 2, 2015. 2015 WL 10960791. It is now closed.

 

Summary Authors

Erin Lichtenstein (4/2/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5547545/parties/dawson-v-h-h-electric-inc/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Burnett, John L. (Arkansas)

Cooper, Leslie (Arkansas)

Mar, Ria Tabacco (Arkansas)

Attorney for Defendant

Dougherty, William P. (Arkansas)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Gantz, Julie L. (Arkansas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

4:14-cv-00583

Complaint

Dawson v. H&H Electric

Sept. 29, 2014

Sept. 29, 2014

Complaint
18

4:14-cv-00583

Defendant's Memorandum Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment

Dawson v. H&H Electric

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
32

4:14-cv-00583

Opinion and Order

Dawson v. H&H Electric

Sept. 15, 2015

Sept. 15, 2015

Order/Opinion

2015 WL 5437101

44

4:14-cv-00583

Amended Complaint

Dawson v. H&H Electric

Sept. 23, 2015

Sept. 23, 2015

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5547545/dawson-v-h-h-electric-inc/

Last updated Aug. 7, 2025, 10:30 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against H & H Electric Inc ( Fee $ 400. Receipt Number LIT048009.), filed by Patricia Y Dawson. Summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(ks) (Entered: 09/29/2014)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Sept. 29, 2014

Sept. 29, 2014

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Appear pro hac vice. Fee $100 receipt number 0860-2521747. Filed by Patricia Y Dawson (Burnett, John) (Entered: 10/03/2014)

Oct. 3, 2014

Oct. 3, 2014

PACER
3

ADDENDUM filed by Patricia Y Dawson to 2 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. (Burnett, John) (Entered: 10/03/2014)

Oct. 3, 2014

Oct. 3, 2014

PACER
4

(This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no pdf document associated with this entry.) ORDER granting 2 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Ria Tabacco Mar is hereby admitted to the bar of this Court for the limited purpose of serving as counsel for Plaintiff. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 10/03/14. (jjb) (Entered: 10/03/2014)

Oct. 3, 2014

Oct. 3, 2014

PACER
5

ANSWER to 1 Complaint with Jury Demand by H & H Electric Inc.(Strange, Sam) (Additional attachment(s) added on 10/23/2014: # 1 Main Document - Correct) (thd). (Entered: 10/22/2014)

Oct. 22, 2014

Oct. 22, 2014

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by William P. Dougherty on behalf of H & H Electric Inc (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 10/23/2014)

Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Sam P. Strange, Jr on behalf of H & H Electric Inc (Strange, Sam) (Entered: 10/23/2014)

Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

PACER
8

NOTICE OF DOCKET CORRECTION re: 5 Answer to Complaint. CORRECTION: The correct main document was added as an attachment to docket entry 5, based on the attached correspondence. (thd) (Entered: 10/23/2014)

Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

PACER
9

INITIAL SCHEDULING ORDER: Rule 26(f) Conference to occur by 12/30/2014; Rule 26(f) Report due by 1/13/2015; Jury Trial set for 10/5/2015 09:30 AM in Little Rock Courtroom #A530 before Judge Susan Webber Wright. Signed by C. Norwood at the direction of the Court on 10/23/2014. (mcn) (Entered: 10/23/2014)

Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

PACER
10

REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting by Patricia Y Dawson. (Burnett, John) (Entered: 01/13/2015)

Jan. 13, 2015

Jan. 13, 2015

PACER
11

MOTION for Protective Order by Patricia Y Dawson (Attachments: # 1 Document Protective Order)(Burnett, John) (Entered: 01/13/2015)

Jan. 13, 2015

Jan. 13, 2015

PACER
12

FINAL SCHEDULING ORDER: Jury Trial set for 10/5/2015 09:30 AM in Little Rock Courtroom #A530 before Judge Susan Webber Wright; motions to Join Other Parties and amend the pleadings due by 1/31/2015; Discovery due by 5/5/2015; Motions due by 6/5/2015; Pretrial Disclosure Sheet due by 9/4/2015. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 1/13/2015. (mcn) Modified on 1/14/2015 to correct typographical error (mcz). (Entered: 01/13/2015)

Jan. 13, 2015

Jan. 13, 2015

PACER
13

ORDER denying without prejudice 11 Motion for Protective Order. The parties may submit a revised, proposed protective order for the Court's consideration. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 1/14/2015. (ks) (Entered: 01/14/2015)

Jan. 14, 2015

Jan. 14, 2015

PACER
14

MOTION for Protective Order by Patricia Y Dawson (Attachments: # 1 Document)(Burnett, John) (Entered: 03/02/2015)

March 2, 2015

March 2, 2015

RECAP
15

PROTECTIVE ORDER. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 3/3/2015. (ks) (Entered: 03/03/2015)

March 3, 2015

March 3, 2015

Clearinghouse
16

MOTION for Summary Judgment by H & H Electric Inc (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit)(Dougherty, William) (Entered: 06/05/2015)

1 Exhibit

View on PACER

2 Exhibit

View on PACER

3 Exhibit

View on PACER

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

PACER
17

STATEMENT OF FACTS (Local Rule 56.1) re 16 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 06/05/2015)

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

PACER
18

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 16 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 06/05/2015)

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

Clearinghouse
19

RESPONSE in Opposition re 16 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Patricia Y Dawson. (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, # 13 Exhibit M)(Mar, Ria) (Entered: 06/19/2015)

June 19, 2015

June 19, 2015

PACER
20

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 19 Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 06/19/2015)

June 19, 2015

June 19, 2015

RECAP
21

STATEMENT OF FACTS (Local Rule 56.1) re 19 Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 06/19/2015)

June 19, 2015

June 19, 2015

PACER
22

MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amicus Curiae by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (jap) (Additional attachment(s) added on 6/24/2015: # 1 Proposed Amicus Curiae Brief) (thd). (Entered: 06/24/2015)

June 24, 2015

June 24, 2015

PACER
23

NOTICE OF DOCKET CORRECTION re: 22 MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amicus Curiae. CORRECTION: The proposed Brief as Amicus Curiae was omitted from the original entry based on a clerical mistake by the Clerk's office. The proposed Brief was added as an attachment to document 22 and is attached hereto for review by the parties. (thd) (Entered: 06/24/2015)

June 24, 2015

June 24, 2015

PACER
24

(This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no pdf document associated with this entry.) ORDER granting 22 Motion for Leave to File a brief as amicus curiae. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is directed to file its amicus brief within five (5) days. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 06/26/2015. (jjb) (Entered: 06/26/2015)

June 26, 2015

June 26, 2015

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to File

June 26, 2015

June 26, 2015

PACER
25

REPLY to Response to Motion re 16 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by H & H Electric Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Dougherty, William) (Entered: 06/26/2015)

June 26, 2015

June 26, 2015

PACER
26

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 20 Brief in Support filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Gantz, Julie) (Entered: 06/26/2015)

June 26, 2015

June 26, 2015

PACER
27

DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR - DISREGARD (wrong case). (jak) (Docket text modified on 7/20/2015.) (thd). (Entered: 07/20/2015)

July 20, 2015

July 20, 2015

RECAP
28

PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/04/2015)

Sept. 4, 2015

Sept. 4, 2015

PACER
29

PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/04/2015)

Sept. 4, 2015

Sept. 4, 2015

PACER
30

OBJECTIONS by Patricia Y Dawson re 29 Pretrial Disclosure Sheet. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/11/2015)

Sept. 11, 2015

Sept. 11, 2015

PACER
31

RESPONSE re 30 Objection to Defendant's Pretrial Disclosures by H & H Electric Inc (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/12/2015)

Sept. 12, 2015

Sept. 12, 2015

PACER
32

OPINION AND ORDER denying 16 Motion for Summary Judgment. The case will proceed to a jury trial. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 9/15/2015. (ks) (Entered: 09/15/2015)

Sept. 15, 2015

Sept. 15, 2015

Clearinghouse
33

REPLY re 30 Objection to Defendant's Pretrial Disclosures by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/17/2015)

Sept. 17, 2015

Sept. 17, 2015

PACER
34

Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct Complaint by Patricia Y Dawson (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Amended Complaint)(Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/18/2015)

Sept. 18, 2015

Sept. 18, 2015

PACER
35

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 34 Motion to Amend/Correct Complaint filed by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/18/2015)

Sept. 18, 2015

Sept. 18, 2015

PACER
36

PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET Supplemental by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/20/2015)

Sept. 20, 2015

Sept. 20, 2015

PACER
37

STIPULATION of Agreed Facts by Patricia Y Dawson. (Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/21/2015)

Sept. 21, 2015

Sept. 21, 2015

PACER
38

ORDER: Leslie Cooper and Ria Tabacco Mar are hereby authorized to bring a cell phone, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant into the courthouse on October 5, 2015 and throughout the trial before Judge Susan Webber Wright. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 9/21/2015. (ks) (Entered: 09/21/2015)

Sept. 21, 2015

Sept. 21, 2015

RECAP
39

RESPONSE to Motion re 34 Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct Complaint filed by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/22/2015)

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER

Order on Motion to Amend/Correct

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER
40

OBJECTIONS by Patricia Y Dawson re 36 Pretrial Disclosure Sheet. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit A)(Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/22/2015)

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER
41

RESPONSE re 40 Objection to Defendant's Supplemental Pretrial Disclosures by H & H Electric Inc (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/22/2015)

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER
42

(This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no pdf document associated with this entry.) ORDER granting 34 Motion to Amend/Correct. Plaintiff is directed to file the amended pleading within 5 days from the entry date of this order. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 09/22/2015. (jjb) (Entered: 09/22/2015)

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER
43

AMENDED FINAL SCHEDULING ORDER: The defendant having waived a jury in this matter, this matter is now scheduled for trial to the Court in LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, during the week beginning October 5, 2015 at 9:30 A.M. Counsel are to be present 30 minutes prior to trial. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 9/22/2015. (ks) (Entered: 09/22/2015)

Sept. 22, 2015

Sept. 22, 2015

PACER
44

AMENDED COMPLAINT against H & H Electric Inc, filed by Patricia Y Dawson(Mar, Ria) (Entered: 09/23/2015)

Sept. 23, 2015

Sept. 23, 2015

Clearinghouse
45

ANSWER to 44 Amended Complaint by H & H Electric Inc.(Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/23/2015)

Sept. 23, 2015

Sept. 23, 2015

PACER
46

STIPULATION of Dismissal JOINT STIPULATION by H & H Electric Inc. (Dougherty, William) (Entered: 09/30/2015)

Sept. 30, 2015

Sept. 30, 2015

RECAP
47

ORDER OF DISMISSAL BY STIPULATION: Pursuant to the parties' 46 stipulation of dismissal [ECF No. 46] and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(ii), this action is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 10/2/2015. (ks) (Entered: 10/02/2015)

Oct. 2, 2015

Oct. 2, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Arkansas

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 29, 2014

Closing Date: Oct. 2, 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A transgender woman who was employed as a licensed journeyman electrician and was fired for being trans.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

H & H Electric Inc. (Hot Springs, Garland), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+