Takeaways
SCOTUS denied two petitions for certiorari asking the Court to reexamine the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework.
These denials follow recent calls from Justices Thomas and Gorsuch, and a growing number of judges, to revisit McDonnell Douglas.
For now, it remains the predominant framework when evaluating discrimination and retaliation claims at summary judgment, but an evolving legal landscape could result in more cases reaching a jury.
Related links
Stephanie Adler-Paindiris Comments on the Future of the McDonnell Douglas Framework
Stephanie Adler-Paindiris, Carolyn Burnette and Ana Shields Author ‘What To Know As Courts Rethink McDonnell-Douglas’
U.S. Supreme Court Reverses ‘Reverse’ Employment Discrimination Pleading Standard
Article
On Oct. 5, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court again declined to revisit the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework frequently used to evaluate employment discrimination and retaliation claims.
The Court denied certiorari in Shelton… Read the complete article here...
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