NING SHEN v ERIC SHINSEKI Civil Action No. 3:11-cv-16
Date: 23-Mar-2011
Title: FEDERAL COURT ISSUES RARE ORDER PROHIBITING TERMINATION OF TITLE 38 EMPLOYEE BY DEP'T OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
The Employment Law Group® is one of the few law firms to regularly seek and obtain injunctive relief, prohibiting the agency from firing or taking any other adverse personnel action against Title 38 employees. In Shen v. Shinseki, the federal court issued a rare order prohibiting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from terminating our client, a Title 38 pathologist, while her civil rights complaint was pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Shen alleges discrimination based on sex, race, and national origin, and retaliation, including summarily suspending her and at least six other formal actions that would end Shen’s employment with the hospital. The ruling sent a clear message that federal agencies are not free to abuse the EEOC process. In the opinion below, the chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia issued a preliminary injunction preventing the agency from terminating our client until her EEOC claims were resolved.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
MARTINSBURG
Civil Action No. 3:11-cv-16
(BAILEY)
DR. NING SHEN,
Plaintiff,
v.
ERIC SHINSEKI, Secretary,
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Defendant.
ORDER OF HEARING GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
On March 23, 2011, the above-styled case came before the Court for a hearing on Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction [Doc. 4]. The plaintiff was present in person and by counsel David Scher, and local counsel Garry Geffert. The defendant was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Helen Campbell Altmeyer.
First, the Court took up the pending Pro Hac Vice motions [Docs. 6, 7]. The Court inquired of local counsel if the fees to the Northern District of West Virginia and the West Virginia State Bar had been paid. Counsel represented that both fees were paid. Accordingly, the Court stated that it would GRANT the motions.
Next, the Court took up the Government’s Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 11]. The Court heard argument from the Government and the plaintiff. After hearing argument and reviewing the relevant law, the Court ORDERED that the Government’s Motion [Doc. 11] be DENIED. The Court reasoned that it had jurisdiction to hear plaintiff’s Civil Complaint for Equitable Relief based on the Fourth Circuit’s decision in Aronberg v. Walters, 755 F.2d 1114, 1115 (4th Cir. 1985).
Next, the Court took up plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction [Doc. 4]. The Court heard argument from the plaintiff, and from the Government. The Court found that plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction [Doc. 4] should be GRANTED. The Court found: (1) that plaintiff was likely to succeed on the merits; (2) that she was likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief; (3) that the balance of equities tipped in her favor; and (4) that an injunction was in the public interest. (citing The Real Truth
About Obama, Inc. v. Fed. Election Comm., 575 F.3d 342, 346 (4th Cir. 2009)).
The Court noted that the impending Professional Standards Board (PSB) meeting was the sixth PSB meeting related to plaintiff’s employment since the filing of her EEOC complaint. The Court found that the volume of hearings, and the fact that the present hearing was going to address an issue already investigated and resolved previously by her employer, showed that the actions by her employer were likely retaliatory. The Court further noted that retaliation for participation in the EEOC process, regardless of how it is effected, inflicts irreparable harm. (citing Aronburg, 755 F.2d at 1115). Based on those findings, the Court concluded that it was in the public interest to prevent the plaintiff from suffering from retaliation for the filing of her EEOC claim. Finally, the Court noted that the balance of equities tipped in plaintiff’s favor, as the most harm that defendant would suffer as a result of the injunction issuing was being forced to pay plaintiff’s salary for a few more months, verses the potential harm to plaintiff of suffering retaliation, loss of her job, and the potential effect that might have on her license to practice medicine.
Accordingly the Court ORDERED that the defendant, Eric Shinseki, Secretary, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, be ENJOINED from engaging in any action to terminate the plaintiff, or initiating any action that would or could result in the filing of a report with the National Practitioner’s Data Bank or any State Licensing Board, until such time as plaintiff’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim is resolved.
The Court then inquired whether that concluded the case. Both parties agreed that plaintiff had been granted all the relief sought in her complaint. Accordingly, the Court ORDERED that the above-styled case be DISMISSED and STRICKEN from the active docket of this Court.
There being no further business before the Court, the Court adjourned the matter.
It is so ORDERED
The Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Order to counsel of record herein.
DATED: March 29, 2011
JOHN PRESTON BAILEY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Counsel of Record:
R. Scott Oswald, Esq.
The Employment Law Group, P.C.
1717 K St. NW
Ste 1110
Washington, DC 20006-5345
David L. Scher, Esq.
The Employment Law Group. P.C.
1717 K St. NW
Ste 1110
Washington, DC 20006-5345
