Opinion ID: 2973584
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: McDonnell Douglas Burden-Shifting Framework

Text: Title VII claims brought under a theory of circumstantial evidence are analyzed under the familiar burden-shifting framework first announced in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973), and later modified by Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 252-53 (1981). Under this framework, the employee must first establish a prima facie case. 9 DiCarlo, 358 F.3d at 414. If he succeeds, then the burden shifts to the employer to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its adverse employment decision. Id. If the employer meets this burden, the employee must then demonstrate that the employer’s proffered reason was a pretext for intentional discrimination in order to defeat summary judgment. Id. at 414-15.