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Alexandria Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino
Date: 10-24-2025
Case Number: 24-CV-56
Judge: Robert J. Jonker
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Marquette County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Marquette
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Marquette Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Marquette, Michigan, employment law lawyer represented the Plaintiff on a wrongful termination theory.
lexandria Parrotta sued her employer, the Island Resort and Casino, for allegedly forcing her to resign rather than accommodating her needs as a new mother. But it turns out that the Casino is owned and operated by the Hannahville ndian Community, a federally recognized Indian tribe. So the district court dismissed Parrotta's claims, holding them to be barred by the tribe's sovereign immunity from suit.
t's "settled law†that federally recognized tribes enjoy immunity from suit in federal or state court. See Kiowa Tribe of Okla. v. Mfg. Techs., Inc., 523 U.S. 751, 754 (1998). But that immunity isn't unyielding. It can be removed through (1) a "clear†waiver by the tribe or (2) an "unequivocal[]†abrogation by Congress. C & L Enters., Inc. v. Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe of Okla., 532 U.S. 411, 418 (2001) (first quoting Okla. Tax Comm'n v. Citizen Band Potawatomi Tribe of Okla., 498 U.S. 505, 509 (1991); then quoting Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez, 436 U.S. 49, 58 (1978)). Parrotta argues waiver only.
lexandria Parrotta sued her employer, the Island Resort and Casino, for allegedly forcing her to resign rather than accommodating her needs as a new mother. But it turns out that the Casino is owned and operated by the Hannahville ndian Community, a federally recognized Indian tribe. So the district court dismissed Parrotta's claims, holding them to be barred by the tribe's sovereign immunity from suit.
t's "settled law†that federally recognized tribes enjoy immunity from suit in federal or state court. See Kiowa Tribe of Okla. v. Mfg. Techs., Inc., 523 U.S. 751, 754 (1998). But that immunity isn't unyielding. It can be removed through (1) a "clear†waiver by the tribe or (2) an "unequivocal[]†abrogation by Congress. C & L Enters., Inc. v. Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe of Okla., 532 U.S. 411, 418 (2001) (first quoting Okla. Tax Comm'n v. Citizen Band Potawatomi Tribe of Okla., 498 U.S. 505, 509 (1991); then quoting Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez, 436 U.S. 49, 58 (1978)). Parrotta argues waiver only.
Outcome:
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of Alexandria Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino?
The outcome was: Affirmed
Which court heard Alexandria Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Marquette County), MI. The presiding judge was Robert J. Jonker.
Who were the attorneys in Alexandria Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Marquette. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Marquette Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was Alexandria Parrotta v. Island Resort and Casino decided?
This case was decided on October 24, 2025.