X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

The full case caption appears at the end of this opinion.

Diane P. Wood, Circuit Judge. This appeal comes to us from a jury’s verdict in favor of plaintiff Lisetta Molnar on her sexual harassment claims against the East Chicago Community School Corporation (East Chicago) and Lloyd Booth, the principal of the junior high school where she taught. She based these claims on both Title VII and 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983. In addition to modest awards of $500 each on the two theories, the jury awarded $25,000 in punitive damages against Booth and the court added $65,760 in attorneys’ fees against both defendants. The defendants’ appeals are based principally on the district court’s denial of their motions for judgment as a matter of law under Fed. R. Civ. P. 50, though they also complain about other aspects of the trial, the fees, and (in Booth’s case) the punitive damages. Molnar cross-appealed from the court’s decision to grant judgment as a matter of law on part of her sexual harassment claim. Finding no reversible error in any of the court’s decisions, even taking into account the changed landscape for sexual harassment claims after the Supreme Court’s decisions in Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742 (1998), and Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775 (1998), we affirm.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 18, 2024 - September 19, 2024
Dallas, TX

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
September 24, 2024
Chicago, IL

Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
September 23, 2024 - September 25, 2024
Chicago, IL

WIPL is the original global forum facilitating women-to-women exchange on leadership and legal issues.


Learn More

Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...


Apply Now ›

Javerbaum Wurgaft, a large civil litigation firm with nine (9) offices, seeks: Plaintiff Personal Injury Attorney for Northern New Jersey of...


Apply Now ›

Exciting Career Opportunities at Nuzzo & Roberts! Nuzzo & Roberts, a leading mid-sized insurance defense firm based in Cheshire, CT...


Apply Now ›