United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

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No. 98-1804

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Richard Russell, *

*

Appellant, *

*

v. *

*

Men's Wearhouse, Inc., a Texas *

Corporation; Bruce Hampton, * Appeal from the United States

individually and in his capacity as * District Court for the District

Senior Vice President; Ted Beile, in * of Minnesota.

his capacity as Vice President; Bill *

Ballard, individually and in his * [PUBLISHED]

capacity as Senior Regional Manager; *

Harold "Skip"Yachik, individually and *

in his capacity as District Manager; *

Tom Kilwein, individually and in his *

capacity as Manager, Paul Mollenkopf, *

individually and in his capacity as *

Manager, Julie Stanke, individually and *

in her capacity as Assistant Manager, *

*

Appellees. 

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Submitted: November 18, 1998

Filed: March 22, 1999

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Before BEAM, MAGILL, and MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judges.

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PER CURIAM. 

Richard Russell appeals a grant of summary judgment against him in his action

for discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.

§ 2000e and the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. § 363.01. 

Russell, an African-American, was employed as a salesperson and later as an

assistant manager at the Men's Wearhouse, a men's clothing store (Wearhouse). He

asserts that he was denied promotions and was constructively discharged because of

his race and was also retaliated against for filing claims with the Minnesota Human

Rights Commission. The district court found that Russell had failed to present

evidence that the Wearhouse's articulated reasons for failure to promote and ultimate

demotion were pretexts for unlawful discrimination. 

In reviewing a decision to grant summary judgment, we apply the same strict

standard as the district court; our review is de novo. See O'Bryan v. KTIV

Television, 64 F.3d 1188, 1190 (8th Cir. 1995). We view the evidence in the light

most favorable to the nonmoving party and give that party the benefit of all

reasonable inferences. See id. Summary judgment is appropriate only if there is no

genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter

of law. See id.; Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). 

Because Russell's discrimination claim is based on inferences to be drawn from

circumstantial evidence, we apply the familiar burden-shifting analysis set forth in

McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802 (1973). Under this analysis,

the plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination, which has the

effect of creating a legal presumption of unlawful discrimination. See id. The

burden of production then shifts to the employer to articulate a legitimate,

non-discriminatory reason for the adverse employment action. See id. If the

employer meets this burden, the presumption created by the prima facie case is
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rebutted and drops from the case. See St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502,

510-11 (1993). The burden of production then shifts back to the plaintiff to show that

the proffered reason was a pretext for unlawful discrimination. See id. This last step

requires a two-part showing—the plaintiff must show: (1) that the employer's

proffered reason is pretextual; and (2) that intentional discrimination is the real

reason. See id. at 515; see also Ryther v. KARE 11, 108 F.3d 832, 838 (8th Cir.) (en

banc), cert. denied, 117 S. Ct. 2510 (1997). 

On careful consideration of the evidence presented in opposition to the motion

for summary judgment, we agree with the district court that Russell has failed to offer

sufficient evidence to allow a reasonable juror to conclude that Russell's race was a

motivating factor in the decisions by the Wearhouse to deny him promotions and

ultimately to demote him. The Wearhouse presented evidence that Russell was

passed over for several promotions for valid business reasons, was eventually

promoted to assistant manager, but was later demoted, again for valid business

reasons. Russell has not presented evidence showing that these reasons were

pretextual or that the true reason was intentional discrimination. The record also

shows that Russell, although a good salesman, had interpersonal difficulties with coworkers and management. We have considered Russell's other arguments and find

them to be without merit.

Accordingly, we affirm for the reasons stated in the district court's opinion.

See 8th Cir. R. 47B. 

A true copy.

Attest:

CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.