United States Seventh Circuit

Summary judgment must be entered for plaintiff on his retaliation claim; the record establishes that he was fired in retaliation for constitutionally protected speech in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments and 42 U.S.C. section 1983. Defendants' speculative interests in efficiency are outweighed by plaintiff's right to collaborate with a fellow citizen to speak on matters of public concern; plaintiff was fired for that speech.

Appellate Information

• Argued 12/02/2003
• Decided 03/08/2004
• Published 03/08/2004

Judges

• RIPPLE, Circuit Judge., Before RIPPLE, MANION and DIANE P. WOOD, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Seventh Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Rebecca Wyatt (argued), Meyer & Wyatt, Gary, IN, for Plaintiff-Appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Kristin A. Mulholland (argued), Polick & Associates, Highland, IN, for Defendant-Appellee.