Opinion ID: 771079
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Legitimate Reasons for Discharge?

Text: 15 Defendants, in turn, have satisfied their burden under McDonnell Douglas of articulating legitimate, nondiscriminatory business reasons why Schnabel was discharged. 2 These reasons, explained at length in Abramson's memorandum of December 6, 1997 (ante at 86), include: plaintiff's asserted contempt for Legal Aid clients, difficulty following instruction, outright insubordination, and inept[ ] performance. Defendants thus have articulated clear and specific reasons for Schnabel's firing, supported by evidence 'which, taken as true, would permit the conclusion that there was a nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse action.' Carlton, 202 F.3d at 136 (quoting St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 509 (1993)(emphasis omitted)). 16