Case: American Alliance for Equal Rights v. McDonald's Corporation

3:25-cv-00050 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

Filed Date: Jan. 12, 2025

Closed Date: Feb. 3, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) On January 12, 2025, the American Alliance for Equal Rights sued McDonald's in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, alleging that the company's HACER program, which provided college scholarships to Hispanic and Latino students, discriminated based on ethnicity in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1981. On January 31, 2025, the parties settled the case, with McDonald's agreeing to open the HACER scholarship to all applicants regardless of race or ethnicity. The case was dismissed and is now closed.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69538692/parties/american-alliance-for-equal-rights-v-mcdonalds-corporation/


Judge(s)

Campbell, William Lynn (Tennessee)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Anderson, R. Gabriel (Tennessee)

McCarthy, Thomas R. (Tennessee)

Mortara, Adam Karl (Tennessee)

Norris, Cameron (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:25-cv-00050

Verified Complaint

Jan. 12, 2025

Jan. 12, 2025

Complaint
21

3:25-cv-00050

Stipulation of Dismissal

Jan. 31, 2025

Jan. 31, 2025

Settlement Agreement

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69538692/american-alliance-for-equal-rights-v-mcdonalds-corporation/

Last updated Feb. 3, 2025, 9:34 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's USA, LLC (Filing fee $405, Receipt number ATNMDC-4236495), filed by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Civil Cover Sheet)(ab) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

1 Attachment Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Jan. 12, 2025

Jan. 12, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 217 to parties re obligation of counsel to keep Court apprised of current contact information. (ab) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER
3

NOTICE of Business Entity Disclosure Statement filing requirement. (ab) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE/INFORMATION regarding Consent of the Parties to the Magistrate Judge. (ab) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER
5

Summons issued as to International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's USA, LLC. (ab) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

Annotation - Bar Status

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

TN State Bar status verified as active for Adam Karl Mortara admitted to this court. (ab)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

Annotation - PHV

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

VA State Bar status verified as active for Cameron Norris admitted to this court. (ab)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

VA State Bar status verified as active for Thomas R. McCarthy not admitted to this court - Local counsel secured. (ab)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

TX State Bar status verified as active for R. Gabriel Anderson not admitted to this court - Local counsel secured. (ab)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Thomas R. McCarthy, R. Gabriel Anderson: WITHIN 21 DAYS, counsel shall file a Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, a Certificate of Good Standing signed by the Clerk of a United States District Court or a U. S. appellate court where admitted, and pay a fee of $150.00 (LR 83.01(b)). PHV due by 2/3/2025. (ab)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER
6

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Memorandum in Support of Emergency TRO and Preliminary Injunction Motion, # 2 Attachment Proposed Order, # 3 Attachment Attorney Declaration and Supporting Exhibits, # 4 Attachment Declaration of Edward Blum, # 5 Attachment Declaration of Member A)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER
7

BUSINESS ENTITY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

PACER

Annotation - Deficiency Notice

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

PACER

NOTICE TO FILER re DE# 7 : The form for the Business Entity Disclosure Statement was not complete. Counsel shall re-file the document ensuring that the appropriate boxes are marked. Counsel shall use the event Business Entity Disclosure Statement under Other Documents when filing this document. (kc)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

PACER
8

AMENDED BUSINESS ENTITY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Norris, Cameron) Modified on 1/15/2025 (kc). (Entered: 01/14/2025)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

PACER
9

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons, Complaint, PI Motion & Attachments served on McDonald's Corporation; McDonald's USA, LLC; International Scholarship & Tuition Services, Inc. on January 13-14, 2025, filed by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
10

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by American Alliance for Equal Rights re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
11

NOTICE of Case Management Conference by Telephone set for 4/14/2025 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. (ab) (Entered: 01/16/2025)

Jan. 16, 2025

Jan. 16, 2025

PACER
12

ORDER: Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. 6 . On January 15, 2025, Plaintiff filed an Affidavit and Certificate of Service indicating that all Defendants have been served with the Complaint and Motion. (See Doc. Nos. 9, 10 ). Plaintiff also advised that the parties are conferring about a schedule for the emergency motion this afternoon. Following the meeting, Plaintiff shall notify the Court whether an agreement has been reached regarding the schedule. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the Court will set an expedited briefing schedule. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 1/16/2025. (kc) (Entered: 01/16/2025)

Jan. 16, 2025

Jan. 16, 2025

PACER
13

NOTICE by American Alliance for Equal Rights re 12 Order,, (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/17/2025)

Jan. 17, 2025

Jan. 17, 2025

PACER
14

ORDER: This case is REFERRED to the Magistrate Judge for customized case management in accordance with Local Rule 16.01 and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). Lead counsel for the parties shall attend the initial case management conference. This case shall be set for trial upon completion of the initial case management conference by order of the District Court in accordance with the procedures of Local Rule 16.01. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 1/17/2025. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(ch) (Entered: 01/17/2025)

Jan. 17, 2025

Jan. 17, 2025

PACER
15

NOTICE of Appearance by James H. Robinson on behalf of International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (Robinson, James) (Entered: 01/21/2025)

Jan. 21, 2025

Jan. 21, 2025

PACER
16

BUSINESS ENTITY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc.. (Robinson, James) (Entered: 01/21/2025)

Jan. 21, 2025

Jan. 21, 2025

PACER

TN State Bar status verified as active for James H. Robinson admitted to this court. (kc)

Jan. 21, 2025

Jan. 21, 2025

PACER
17

ORDER: Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction 6 . Plaintiff agreed to withdraw its request for a temporary restraining order. Plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction remains. The parties propose a deadline of February 3, 2025, for Defendants to respond to Plaintiff's motion, and a deadline of February 10, 2025, for Plaintiffs reply. The Court finds that the deadlines proposed by the parties are appropriate. The Court will hold a hearing on Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion on February 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 6B. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 1/22/2025. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(kc) (Entered: 01/22/2025)

Jan. 22, 2025

Jan. 22, 2025

PACER

TN State Bar status verified as active for James H. Robinson admitted to this court. (kc)

Jan. 23, 2025

Jan. 23, 2025

PACER
18

MOTION for attorney Thomas R. McCarthy to Appear Pro Hac Vice (paid $150 PHV fee; receipt number ATNMDC-4249224) by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/30/2025)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER
19

MOTION for attorney R. Gabriel Anderson to Appear Pro Hac Vice (paid $150 PHV fee; receipt number ATNMDC-4249241) by American Alliance for Equal Rights. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/30/2025)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER
20

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathryn Skagerberg on behalf of McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's USA, LLC (Skagerberg, Kathryn) (Entered: 01/31/2025)

Jan. 31, 2025

Jan. 31, 2025

PACER
21

STIPULATION of Dismissal by McDonald's Corporation. (Skagerberg, Kathryn) (Entered: 01/31/2025)

Jan. 31, 2025

Jan. 31, 2025

Clearinghouse
23

Order Dismissing Case

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

PACER

Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Appear Pro Hac Vice

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Public Accommodations/Contracting

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 12, 2025

Closing Date: Feb. 3, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Contracting

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Arab/Afgani/Middle Eastern

Indian

Affected Race(s):

American Indian/Alaskan Native

Asian/Pacific Islander

Black

White