United States Sixth Circuit

In a suit brought under federal and state anti-discrimination laws against defendants asserting that they terminated a real-estate sales contract with plaintiffs one day after learning that they are black, dismissal of the suit is reversed and remanded where: 1) the district court erred by requiring plaintiffs to plead facts establishing a prima facie case under the McDonnell Douglas/Burdine framework; and 2) plaintiffs are not required to plead facts showing that a purchase agreement was valid and enforceable in order to state a claim for relief.

Appellate Information

• Argued 07/27/2007
• Decided 08/15/2007
• Published 08/15/2007

Judges

• Before: KEITH, MOORE, and COLE, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:Edward L. Gilbert, Slater, Zurz & Gilbert, Akron, Ohio, for Appellants.  Maura L. Hughes, Calfee, Halter & Griswold, Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellees.   ON BRIEF:Edward L. Gilbert, Michael J. Wright, Slater, Zurz & Gilbert, Akron, Ohio, for Appellants.  Julia A. Harris, Jeffrey J. Lauderdale, Calfee, Halter & Griswold, Cleveland, Ohio, James L. Childress, Calhoun, Kademenos & Childress, Mansfield, Ohio, for Appellees.