Opinion ID: 885110
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: ¶ 19 Did the District Court err in finding that Hafner's disability precluded him from performance of the Helper position at Conoco? ¶ 20 Hafner argues that the District Court erred in finding that his disability precluded him from performance of the Helper position because such a finding was contrary to the law of the case and, therefore, beyond the scope of the court's jurisdiction. We agree. The law of the case doctrine expresses the practice of courts generally to refuse to reopen what has been decided. Marriage of Scott (1997), 283 Mont. 169, 175, 939 P.2d 998, 1001-02. We have held: [W]here upon an appeal, the Supreme Court, in deciding a case presented, states in its opinion a principle or rule of law necessary to the decision, such pronouncement becomes the law of the case and must be adhered to throughout its subsequent progress, both in the trial court and upon subsequent appeal. Scott, 283 Mont. at 175-76, 939 P.2d at 1002. Here, the parties appear in a second appeal of the same case involving the same issues as those previously addressed in Hafner I. In Hafner I, this Court determined, as a matter of law, that Hafner was qualified to perform the tasks required of the Helper position. Having made this determination in Hafner I, it became the law of the case and the District Court was without jurisdiction to revisit the issue. We hold that the court erred in finding that Hafner's disability precluded him from performance of the Helper position. ¶ 21 Although we find error in the court's finding, we recognize the confusion that application of Reeves may have had on the instant case. Therefore, for the benefit of the court and the parties on remand of this case, we take this opportunity to briefly clarify the proper application of Reeves to the instant case. As previously stated, Reeves changed the shifting burden requirements for direct evidence employment discrimination cases. In such cases, once the complainant has established a prima facie case of discrimination with direct evidence, the burden then shifts to the employer to prove either or both of two defenses: that an unlawful motive played no role in the challenged action or that the direct evidence of discrimination is not credible and is unworthy of belief. Reeves, ¶¶ 17-18; Rule 24.9.610(5), ARM. ¶ 22 The instant case is unique and very different from most direct evidence cases. Here, the law of the case precludes Conoco from choosing the second defense and attacking the credibility of the direct evidence of discrimination. In Hafner I, we determined, as a matter of law, that Hafner was disabled, that he was qualified, and that he had established a prima facie case of discrimination. We held that Hafner was statutorily disabled because Conoco regarded him as such. Those determinations are the law of the case and cannot be revisited by the parties or the District Court. Scott, 283 Mont. at 175-76, 939 P.2d at 1002. Furthermore, Conoco does not dispute that it withdrew Hafner's job offer on the basis of his disability. Conoco disputes only whether this discrimination was illegal. Thus, the only part of Reeves applicable to this case is Conoco's burden of proving absence of unlawful motive in the challenged action. Put another way, what was Hafner's burden of proving pretext under Hafner I and the McDonnell test, is now Conoco's burden of proving absence of unlawful motive under the Reeves test.