Case: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC

5:24-cv-06859 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 30, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is one of several cases originally brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under the Biden Administration to enforce Title VII’s prohibition of sex-based workplace discrimination against transgender employees. In these cases, the EEOC’s position was that discrimination on account of gender identity and sexuality necessarily constituted sex-based discrimination in violation of Title VII. After Present Donald Trump was elected, the EEOC reversed its position and mo…

This is one of several cases originally brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under the Biden Administration to enforce Title VII’s prohibition of sex-based workplace discrimination against transgender employees. In these cases, the EEOC’s position was that discrimination on account of gender identity and sexuality necessarily constituted sex-based discrimination in violation of Title VII. After Present Donald Trump was elected, the EEOC reversed its position and moved to dismiss these cases, which are available here.

On September 30, 2024, the EEOC filed this lawsuit against Lush Handmade Cosmetics LLC and Lush Cosmetics LLC—retailers of personal care products--in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The EEOC filed this lawsuit on behalf of three of Defendant’s current and former employees—a pansexual non-binary female, a gender fluid non-binary person, and a transgender man. All three alleged that their store manager harassed them because of their sexuality, sex, and gender identity, and that he threatened to retaliate against them if they reported him. When they did report him to management, the Defendant failed to discipline the manager, and at least one of the employees resigned due to his harassment. The EEOC’s lawsuit alleged that Defendant’s actions constituted the unlawful maintenance of a hostile work environment and constructive discharge on account of sexuality, sex, and gender identity in violation of Title VII. The EEOC sought compensatory, emotional distress, and punitive damages for the former employee and a permanent injunction to (1) prevent the Defendant from engaging in employment practices that discriminate based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and (2) affirmatively require the Defendant to implement policies, practices, and programs to provide equal employment opportunities for all workers regardless of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This case was assigned to Judge P. Casey Pitts.

The EEOC filed an amended complaint on December 4, 2025, for the sole purpose of dropping one of the Defendants, as the Defendants had incorporated into one entity.

The Defendant filed its answer to the EEOC’s complaint on December 18, 2024.

However, after President Trump was inaugurated to his second term on January 20, 2025, he issued several Executive Orders that declared the Administration's reversal on several issues relating to gender identity (EO 14201, Keeping Men out of Women's Sports; EO 14187, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, and EO 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government).  On January 28, 2025, the EEOC issued a press release, "Removing Gender Ideology and Restoring the EEOC’s Role of Protecting Women in the Workplace," indicating the ways in which the EEOC would implement the Executive Orders.

In response to the change in administration and federal guidance, the EEOC filed a joint motion with the Defendant to dismiss this case on February 14, 2025, arguing that discrimination on the basis of gender identity did not constitute sex-based discrimination in violation of Title VII.

As the Court has not yet addressed the joint motion to dismiss, this case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Sarah Portwood (2/21/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69212238/parties/us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-lush-handmade-cosmetics-llc/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Cheung, Raymond T. (California)

Leff, Samuel Jordan (California)

Mitchell, Marcia L. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Beale, Rebecca S. (California)

Dreiband, Eric S. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

5:24-cv-06859

Complaint

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

Complaint
15

5:24-cv-06859

First Amended Complaint

Dec. 4, 2024

Dec. 4, 2024

Complaint
25

5:24-cv-06859

Stipulation to Stay Pending Deadlines and Dismiss with Prejudice

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

Other

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69212238/us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-lush-handmade-cosmetics-llc/

Last updated April 21, 2025, 3:47 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants. Filed by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Mitchell, Marcia) (Filed on 9/30/2024) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

Clearinghouse

Notice of Appearance/Substitution/Change/Withdrawal of Attorney

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

PACER
2

Proposed Summons. (Mitchell, Marcia) (Filed on 9/30/2024) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

PACER
3

Proposed Summons. (Mitchell, Marcia) (Filed on 9/30/2024) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Raymond T. Cheung on behalf of US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 9/30/2024) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 30, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024

PACER
5

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 10/15/2024. (ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/1/2024) (Entered: 10/01/2024)

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

PACER

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

PACER
6

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: This case may fall within the Initial Discovery Protocols for Employment Cases Alleging Adverse Action. See General Order 71. Parties and Counsel are directed to review General Order 71 to determine whether it applies to this case, and to comply with that General Order if applicable. Case Management Statement due by 1/1/2025. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/8/2025 10:00 AM in San Jose, - Telephonic Only. (mcl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/1/2024) (Entered: 10/01/2024)

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

PACER
7

Summons Issued as to Lush Cosmetics LLC, Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Lush Cosmetics LLC)(mcl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/1/2024) (Entered: 10/01/2024)

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

PACER
8

CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.. (Steele, Roberta) (Filed on 10/16/2024) (Entered: 10/16/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER

Clerk's Notice of Impending Reassignment - Text Only

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER

Clerk's Notice AND ~Util - Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER
9

CLERK'S NOTICE OF IMPENDING REASSIGNMENT TO A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Clerk of this Court will now randomly reassign this case to a District Judge because a party has not consented to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge. You will be informed by separate notice of the district judge to whom this case is reassigned. ALL HEARING DATES PRESENTLY SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CURRENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ARE VACATED AND WILL BE RE-NOTICED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO WHOM THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED. This is a text only docket entry; there is no document associated with this notice. (lmh, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/16/2024) (Entered: 10/16/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER
10

ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge P. Casey Pitts for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins no longer assigned to case, except for discovery purposes. Notice: The assigned judge participates in the Cameras in the Courtroom Pilot Project. See General Order No. 65 and http://cand.uscourts.gov/cameras. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Eligibility for Video Recording)(smc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/16/2024) (Entered: 10/16/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER
11

CLERK'S NOTICE RESETTING INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE FOLLOWING REASSIGNMENT. Joint Case Management Statement due by 1/7/2025. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/21/2025 at 01:00 PM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (nmc, COURT USER) (Filed on 10/16/2024) (Entered: 10/16/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER
12

REQUEST FOR WAIVER of Service sent to LUSH HANDMADE COSMETICS, LLC c/o CT Corporate System on 10/10/2024 by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Waiver of Service due by 11/12/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate/Proof of Service)(Steele, Roberta) (Filed on 10/21/2024) (Entered: 10/21/2024)

Oct. 21, 2024

Oct. 21, 2024

PACER
13

REQUEST FOR WAIVER of Service sent to LUSH COSMETICS, LLC c/o CT Corporate System on 10/10/2024 by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Waiver of Service due by 11/12/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate/Proof of Service)(Steele, Roberta) (Filed on 10/21/2024) (Entered: 10/21/2024)

Oct. 21, 2024

Oct. 21, 2024

PACER
14

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Service waived by Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC waiver sent on 10/10/2024, answer due 12/9/2024. (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 11/21/2024) (Entered: 11/21/2024)

Nov. 21, 2024

Nov. 21, 2024

PACER
15

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT; Jury Trial Demanded against Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. Filed by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 12/4/2024) M (Entered: 12/04/2024)

Dec. 4, 2024

Dec. 4, 2024

Clearinghouse
16

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-20128766.) filed by Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement DC Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 IL Certificate of Good Standing)(Dreiband, Eric) (Filed on 12/10/2024) (Entered: 12/10/2024)

Dec. 10, 2024

Dec. 10, 2024

PACER
17

ORDER granting 16 Motion for Pro Hac Vice as to attorney Eric Dreiband. Signed by Judge P. Casey Pitts on 12/12/2024. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/12/2024) (Entered: 12/12/2024)

Dec. 12, 2024

Dec. 12, 2024

PACER
18

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-20145293.) filed by Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 DC Certificate of Good Standing)(Beale, Rebecca) (Filed on 12/16/2024) (Entered: 12/16/2024)

Dec. 16, 2024

Dec. 16, 2024

PACER
19

ORDER granting 18 Motion for Pro Hac Vice as to attorney Rebecca Beale. Signed by Judge P. Casey Pitts on 12/17/2024. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/17/2024) (Entered: 12/17/2024)

Dec. 17, 2024

Dec. 17, 2024

PACER
20

ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 12/18/2024) (Entered: 12/18/2024)

Dec. 18, 2024

Dec. 18, 2024

PACER
21

ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Dreiband, Eric) (Filed on 12/18/2024) (Entered: 12/18/2024)

Dec. 18, 2024

Dec. 18, 2024

PACER
22

ANSWER to Amended Complaint by Lush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Dreiband, Eric) (Filed on 12/18/2024) (Entered: 12/18/2024)

Dec. 18, 2024

Dec. 18, 2024

RECAP
23

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER Scheduling Order filed by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 12/26/2024) (Entered: 12/26/2024)

Dec. 26, 2024

Dec. 26, 2024

PACER
24

ORDER granting 23 Stipulation re Scheduling Order. Signed by Judge P. Casey Pitts on 12/27/2024. Initial Disclosures due by 2/14/2025. Joint Case Management Statement due by 2/18/2025. Initial Case Management Conference set for 3/4/2025 at 01:00 PM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/27/2024) (Entered: 12/27/2024)

Dec. 27, 2024

Dec. 27, 2024

RECAP
25

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER re 15 Amended Complaint to Stay Pending Deadlines and to Dismiss filed by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 2/14/2025) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

RECAP
26

Proposed Order re 25 STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER re 15 Amended Complaint to Stay Pending Deadlines and to Dismiss by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 2/14/2025) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
27

TEXT-ONLY ORDER The parties to this case are ordered to appear before Judge P. Casey Pitts on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 10:00am for an in-person hearing on the Stipulated Motion 25 to dismiss with prejudice. Though she is not required to, should the Aggrieved Employee wish to appear at the hearing, she may do so personally or through counsel. The Aggrieved Employee may also respond to the parties' Motion by March 6 and the parties may reply by March 10. Within 48 hours of this Order, the EEOC shall provide the Aggrieved Employee with notice of the hearing, her right to appear at that hearing, and her right to respond to the Motion. All deadlines in this case are stayed pending resolution of the Motion. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (pcplc3, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/24/2025) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Order

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings No NEF

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Motion Hearing re 25 set for 3/13/2025 at 10:00 AM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor before Judge P. Casey Pitts. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER
28

NOTICE by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of Withdrawal of Counsel (Cheung, Raymond) (Filed on 2/25/2025) (Entered: 02/25/2025)

Feb. 25, 2025

Feb. 25, 2025

RECAP
29

Motion for Leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs. Filed by Samuel J. Leff. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Supplement) (Leff, Samuel) (Filed on 3/6/2025) (Entered: 03/06/2025)

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

PACER

Set Motion and Deadlines/Hearings

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Motion Hearing re 29 set for 4/10/2025 at 10:00 AM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor before Judge P. Casey Pitts. Responses due by 3/20/2025. Replies due by 3/27/2025. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/7/2025)

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Motion Hearing re 25 set for 3/13/2025 at 10:00 AM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor before Judge P. Casey Pitts. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/7/2025)

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

PACER
30

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE (re 25 STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER re 15 Amended Complaint to Stay Pending Deadlines and to Dismiss ) filed byLush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Dreiband, Eric) (Filed on 3/10/2025) (Entered: 03/10/2025)

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

PACER
31

Joint MOTION to Continue Hearing on Stipulated Motion to Dismiss filed by Samuel J. Leff. (Attachments: # 1 Stipulation to Continue, # 2 Proposed Order)(Leff, Samuel) (Filed on 3/10/2025) (Entered: 03/10/2025)

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

PACER
32

ORDER granting 31 Joint Administrative Motion to Continue Hearing on Stipulated Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge P. Casey Pitts on 3/11/2025. Motion Hearing re 25 reset for 4/10/2025 at 10:00 AM in San Jose, Courtroom 8, 4th Floor before Judge P. Casey Pitts. (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/11/2025)Any non-CM/ECF Participants have been served by First Class Mail to the addresses of record listed on the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) (Entered: 03/11/2025)

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

PACER
33

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE (re 29 MOTION for Leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs ) filed byLush Handmade Cosmetics, LLC. (Dreiband, Eric) (Filed on 3/20/2025) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER
34

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge P. Casey Pitts: Motion Hearing re 25 Stipulation to Stay Pending Deadlines and to Dismiss; 29 Motion for Leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs held on 4/10/2025. Argument of counsel heard. The Court grants 29 Motion for Leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs and takes 25 Stipulation to Stay Pending Deadlines and to Dismiss under submission. Order to issue.Plaintiff Attorney: Roberta Steele. Intervenor Plaintiff: Samuel Leff.Defendant Attorney: Eric Dreiband. Total Time in Court: 35 min. Court Reporter: Amanda LeGore (via Zoom webinar). (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (nmc, COURT STAFF) (Date Filed: 4/10/2025) (Entered: 04/10/2025)

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER

1 - Terminate Hearings AND Motion Hearing AND Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief AND ~Util - Terminate Motions

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER
35

Order AND ~Util - Set/Clear Flags

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government (Transgender Rights)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 30, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Lush Handmade Cosmetics LLC, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Retailer

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Sex discrimination

Sexual orientation

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Transgender

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+