Karen O’Kasey and Ruth Casby Prevail On Motion For Summary Judgment

Karen O’Kasey and Ruth Casby prevailed yesterday on a motion for summary judgment dismissing a federal lawsuit alleging an employer’s violation of due process. The plaintiff sought damages of $500,000 claiming he was denied constitutional due process protections when he was discharged from his job as Clatskanie School District’s maintenance supervisor. US District Court Judge Marco Hernandez agreed with the defendants’ legal analysis, ruling that plaintiff’s claim had no merit because his at-will employment did not give rise to a constitutionally protected property interest and, as such, his employer did not need to comply with due process protections. This ruling made it unnecessary for the court to consider defendants’ alternative position that plaintiff’s claim failed because he received due process before and after his discharge.