United States DC Circuit

A jury verdict for plaintiffs on a Fair Housing Act disparate impact discrimination claim involving a city's decision to close certain apartment buildings for housing code violations is reversed where tenants failed to demonstrate that defendants' actions had a disproportionate impact on Hispanics. Judgment as a matter of law to the city on an FHA disparate treatment claim, and a refusal to instruct a jury on a state law claim are also reversed.

Appellate Information

• Argued 01/12/2006
• Decided 04/14/2006
• Published 04/14/2006

Judges

• TATEL, Circuit Judge., Before:  TATEL, GARLAND, and GRIFFITH, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Philip M. Musolino was on the brief for cross-appellant Andrew J. Serafin.


• For Appellees:
  
• James C. McKay, Jr., Senior Assistant Attorney General, Office of Attorney General for the District of Columbia, argued the cause for appellant/cross-appellee.   With him on the briefs were Robert J. Spagnoletti, Attorney General, and Edward E. Schwab, Deputy Attorney General., Reed N. Colfax argued the cause for appellees/cross-appellants.   With him on the briefs were John P. Relman, Eliza T. Platts-Mills, Bruce V. Spiva, and Hassan A. Zavareei.  David W. DeBruin and Denise L. Gilman entered appearances., Jeffrey T. Green and Joseph R. Palmore were on the brief for amici curiae National Fair Housing Alliance, et al. in support of appellees/cross-appellants.  Virginia A. Seitz entered an appearance.