Question

Brenda Patterson (Patterson) (plaintiff), a black employee, worked for McLean Credit Union (McLean) (defendant) for a decade before being laid off in 1982. Patterson sued McLean for various violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, including a claim that McLean denied Patterson a promotion in favor of a lesser-qualified, white employee. In response, McLean alleged that the white employee was more qualified for the position than Patterson. In its jury instructions, the district court told the jury that in order to succeed on her promotion-denial claim, Patterson had to prove that she was, in fact, more qualified for the open position than the white employee selected. The jury rejected Patterson’s promotion claim. The court of appeals affirmed. Patterson challenged the portion of the district court’s jury instructions related to her promotion claim, ultimately petitioning for United States Supreme Court review.

1. do you think justice was served in this case? Please explain. Why do you think Patterson waited so long to sue and how did that effect the case?

Answer 1

I believe that justice was served in this case because it was obvious that Patterson could not prove that she was more qualified for the promotion and hence the jury rejected her claim and the court affirmed. In this case oatterson had to prove that she was more qualified than the person who was promoted but it is quite clear that she could not prove her claim.

I believe that Patterson waited for so long because to sue may because she realized that her termination was actually not fair and she may have gathered the courage to against her former employer.