DALLAS – July 2, 2024 – Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP secured a victory in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for Academic Partnerships (known as Risepoint as of May 1), a higher education service provider offering integrated university, marketing, and student services, in a labor and employment dispute brought by former employees. The case, Raymond Donnelly; O’Tara Johnson v. Academic Partnerships L.L.C (23-10724), was decided by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals April 30, with the Mandate issued May 22.
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, centered on allegations of employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. Academic Partnerships moved for summary judgment, and U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr granted the motion, dismissing all of the plaintiffs’ claims. On appeal, the plaintiffs challenged the court’s dismissal of their retaliation claim, which the Fifth Circuit found to be baseless and accordingly dismissed the appeal.
“It has been an honor to advocate for Academic Partnerships (Risepoint) and witness justice served in their favor. The court’s ruling is a testament to their team’s professionalism, and I thank them for their unwavering faith in our firm’s legal ability,” said Labor & Employment Shareholder Jordan W. Cowman, who led the case team, working closely with Of Counsel Amanda A. Williams.
“Jordan Cowman and Amanda Williams are tremendous lawyers who are at the top of their game. We are fortunate to have these gifted practitioners as our long-time and trusted legal counsel,” Academic Partnerships (Risepoint) Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Marcel Valenta said.
The Greenberg Traurig team also included Shareholder Alicia Sienne Voltmer and Associate Jennifer Bartlett. Shareholder Elizabeth "Heidi" G. Bloch assisted with the appellate briefs.
Academic Partnerships (Risepoint) assists regional public universities and smaller colleges in initiating and expanding their accelerated online programs. Their objective is to enhance accessibility to affordable, high-quality online degree programs that are relevant to the workforce.
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