SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ACCUSED OF EMPLOYMENT CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS

Our client, a Jackson-based tax-exempt, non-profit organization, was accused by a former employee of sexual discrimination, harassment and maintaining a hostile work environment. She filed a complaint through the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, a state administrative agency responsible for investigating and resolving discrimination complaints. Employment litigation attorney Brad A. Brelinski defended the complaint on behalf of the board of directors. After an internal investigation determined that the complaint was without merit, we devised a plan to defend this frivolous claim and clear the names of the executive director and nonprofit organization. We filed a detailed and comprehensive written response and legal brief outlining the undisputed facts, contradicting the claimant's allegations, and setting forth the applicable and favorable law in our defense. After a long but extensive investigation by the MDCR, where we represented the nonprofit at every step, the civil rights investigator recommended that the complaint be closed for a lack of evidence, and it was ultimately dismissed.