Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/524bv.pdf
Page Number: 791.0

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BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC. v. ELLERTH

Opinion of the Court

subject to vicarious liability for Slowik’s activity, but should have an
opportunity to assert and prove the afﬁrmative defense. Pp. 765–766.

123 F. 3d 490, afﬁrmed.

Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Rehnquist,
C. J., and Stevens, O(cid:146)Connor, Souter, and Breyer, JJ., joined. Gins-
burg, J., ﬁled an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 766.
Thomas, J., ﬁled a dissenting opinion, in which Scalia, J., joined, post,
p. 766.

James J. Casey argued the cause for petitioner. With him
on the briefs were Mary Margaret Moore and Robert A.
Wicker.

Ernest T. Rossiello argued the cause for respondent.
With him on the brief were Margaret A. Zuleger and Eric
Schnapper.

Deputy Solicitor General Underwood argued the cause for
the United States et al. as amici curiae urging afﬁrmance.
With her on the brief were Solicitor General Waxman, Act-
ing Assistant Attorney General Lee, Irving L. Gornstein, C.
Gregory Stewart, Philip B. Sklover, Carolyn L. Wheeler, and
Susan L. P. Starr.*

Justice Kennedy delivered the opinion of the Court.
We decide whether, under Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 253, as amended, 42 U. S. C. § 2000e et

*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were ﬁled for the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States by Carol Connor Flowe, Stephen A.
Bokat, Robin S. Conrad, and Sussan L. Mahallati; and for the Equal
Employment Advisory Council by Ann Elizabeth Reesman.

Briefs of amici curiae urging afﬁrmance were ﬁled for the American
Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations by Jona-
than P. Hiatt, Marsha S. Berzon, and Laurence Gold; for Equal Rights
Advocates et al. by Samuel A. Marcosson, Beth H. Parker, and Rose Fua;
and for the Rutherford Institute by John W. Whitehead and Steven H.
Aden.

David Benjamin Oppenheimer, H. Candace Gorman, and Paula A.
Brantner ﬁled a brief for the National Employment Lawyers Association
as amicus curiae.