Opinion ID: 466310
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sowell's failure to file

Text: 13 LESA's contention that Sowell failed to file a charge with the EEOC is being raised for the first time on appeal. 2 Because the issue of Sowell's failure to file does not raise jurisdictional considerations, see Part I supra, the defense of estoppel is applicable to LESA's contention. Zipes, 455 U.S. at 393, 102 S.Ct. at 1132. 14 As a general rule issues which have not been raised in the trial court will not be reviewed on appeal. Scott v. Pacific Maritime Association, 695 F.2d 1199, 1203 (9th Cir.1983) (citing authority). Variance from the general rule requires exceptional circumstances where injustice might otherwise result. Frommhagen v. Klein, 456 F.2d 1391, 1395 (9th Cir.1972). Inasmuch as LESA offers no explanation of its failure to raise the issue in the district court, see United States v. Plechner, 577 F.2d 596, 598 (9th Cir.1978) (without explanation or exceptional circumstances courts will not deviate from general rule of declining issue) and no exceptional circumstances are present, we conclude that LESA is estopped from raising the Sowell issue here.