The United States Supreme Court has taken an active role in shaping the employment discrimination laws under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1963 and 1991 as well as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of (ADEA). These cases are the foundation for how Federal District Courts and some State Courts apply these Acts. The United States Supreme Court has been very active in 1998 and 1999 to clarify how the Federal Courts should apply the law. Keep in mind that the Supreme Court of the United States applies the same standard for determining discriminatory intent in age cases that it applies to cases brought under race, gender, and national origin cases. This standard is named after the case which outlined it, McDonnel Douglas v. Green. We have summarized some of the more important decisions here for your educational use. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for a definitive legal opinion on how these cases impact your particular case.

Summarized United States Supreme Court Cases

McDonnell Douglas v. Green, (Standard for Proving Discrimination)

Lorillard v. Pons, (Jury Trial Rights Under ADEA)

Oscar Mayer & Co. v. Evans, (State Law Remedies Under ADEA)

Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine, (Standard to Evaluate Employer’s Non-Discriminatory Reason for Termination)

Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Thurston, (Senority Rights)

Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, (Gender/Sex and Age Sterotyping)

Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association v. Saliminio, (Effect of State Agency Determination)

Hazen Paper Co. v. Biggins, (Termination Preceding Pension Vesting)

St. Mary’s Honor Center v. Hicks, (Intentional Discrimination)

McKennon v. Nashville Banner Publishing Co., (Reduction in Force Case)

O’Connor v. Consolidated Coin Caterers, (Replacement by Younger Worker)

Reeves v. Sanders Plumbing Products, Inc., (New Standard for Intention Discrimination)

- Go to Sixth Circuit Court Cases -