Date: 07-17-2000

Case Style: Boyce A. Smith v. Leggett Wire Company, et al.

Case Number: 98-6414

Judge: Martin, Suhrheinrich and Siler

Court: United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Plaintiff's Attorney: Susan C. Sears and Catherine S. Wright of Forst & Jacobs, Lexington, Kentucky

Defendant's Attorney: Robert B. Craig and Mark J. Sheppard of Stettinius & Hollister, Covington, Kentucky

Description: Defendants Adcom Wire Company and Leggett & Platt, Inc., appeal an order awarding Plaintiff Boyce A. Smith $100,000, plus attorney's fees and costs, for wrongful termination of employment based on a jury's finding of racial discrimination. Defendants claim that the district court erred in denying their post-verdict motion for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(b) because there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's finding that race was a substantially motivating factor in Adcom's decision to terminate Smith. Defendants also challenge the jury's finding that Leggett was sufficiently interrelated with Adcom to be held liable for Smith's wrongful termination. Finally, Defendants object to the district court's award of attorney's fees.

Outcome: Reversed.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

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