Home > News & Seminars > News Releases > 2005 News Releases > Hodgson Russ attorneys achieve victory for Cassadaga Valley Central School District

Hodgson Russ attorneys achieve victory for Cassadaga Valley Central School District

September 1, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Lisa Kane
716.848.1335
lkane@hodgsonruss.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A recent decision by the New York State Division of Human Rights found that a 1991 reassignment of three Cassadaga Valley Central School District high school teachers to middle school teaching responsibilities did not constitute age or sex discrimination on the part of the district, as the teachers had claimed. The district was represented by Hodgson Russ LLP partner Robert J. Lane Jr. and senior associate Jodyann Galvin in these proceedings.

"The resolve and diligence of Cassadaga Valley Central School District in defending against these claims over the course of so many years is remarkable," Ms. Galvin said. "We are glad that Hodgson Russ was able to assist Cassadaga Valley in this effort."

The New York State Division of Human Rights recently issued its final determination  that the district did not discriminate against the complainants because of their age or sex, upholding the findings of a hearing held over eight days in 2002 and 2003. In that hearing, the Division of Human Rights found that the teachers' assignments were made for legitimate reasons and involved responsibilities within their teaching certifications. The hearing also dismissed the teachers' complaints of retaliation and constructive discharge after the filings of their complaints.

The time for the claimants to appeal this decision recently expired, ending years of litigation and work by the district related to these claims. Mr. Lane also helped Cassadaga Valley Central School District win a federal lawsuit in the mid-1990s brought by these three teachers for similar claims.

Mr. Lane is the lead attorney in Hodgson Russ LLP's Litigation Practice Area. He practices in the area of commercial and business-related litigation, with a focus on securities litigation, health care litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

Ms. Galvin concentrates her practice in employment litigation, business litigation, and intellectual property litigation. She represents employers in employment-related matters, including enforcement of restrictive covenants and the defense of claims of discrimination in both judicial and administrative proceedings.

With more than 220 attorneys practicing in all major areas of law, Hodgson Russ is among the 200 largest law firms headquartered in the United States. It is one of approximately 100 firms in the country listed in America's Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree. In June 2005, Hodgson Russ received the Carol S. Knox Family-Friendly Employer Award from the Capital District Women's Bar Association. The Firm, which was established in 1817 and is among the oldest law firms in the United States, is the only law firm that can count two former U.S. presidents, Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, among its alumni. Hodgson Russ has seven offices: Albany, Buffalo, and Johnstown, and two in New York, New York; Boca Raton, Florida; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

####