ALTSCHWAGER v. PROGRESSIVE CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY (2020)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Pro se plaintiff Annette J. Altschwager appeals from the district court's order granting summary judgment in favor of defendant Progressive Casualty Insurance Company (Progressive) on her claims for age, gender, and disability discrimination, as well as retaliation for engaging in protected activities. After Ms. Altschwager failed to respond to Progressive's motion, the district court entered a memorandum order, which explained there were no disputed material facts and Progressive was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Because Ms. Altschwager has failed to adequately frame and develop any issues on appeal, we dismiss the appeal.

“While we ․ liberally construe pro se pleadings, an appellant's pro se status does not excuse [her of] the obligation ․ to comply with the fundamental requirements of the Federal Rules of ․ Appellate Procedure.” Ogden v. San Juan Cty., 32 F.3d 452, 455 (10th Cir. 1994). Rule 28(a)(8)(A) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure requires the appellant's brief to contain an argument supported by citations to pertinent legal authorities and the parts of the record upon which she relies. There are no references to the record or any legal authorities cited in Ms. Altschwager's briefs; instead she lays out an unsubstantiated version of her experiences at Progressive and alleged “due process” defects in the discovery process, Aplt. Opening Br. at 2, without ever mentioning the district court's summary judgment order or where she raised the “due process” issues below.

To reverse the district court, we would have to comb the record and then construct arguments or theories for Ms. Altschwager, which we cannot do. See Drake v. City of Fort Collins, 927 F.2d 1156, 1159 (10th Cir. 1991). The failure to adequately frame and develop any issue is insufficient to invoke appellate review. Murrell v. Shalala, 43 F.3d 1388, 1389 n.2 (10th Cir. 1994).

The appeal is dismissed.

Carolyn B. McHugh, Circuit Judge