Opinion ID: 2675964
Heading Depth: 6
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sandra Balzer

Text: Finally, we also see no error in the district court’s grant of summary judgment for Balzer. Balzer, a lawyer in the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, was responsible for providing legal advice to the Board. Trant alleged that she participated in his termination by condoning the unlawful retaliation against him. Specifically, he argued that she condoned his termination by remaining silent when the Board considered firing Trant on February 5 in part because of his protected speech. Trant has not introduced any evidence that Balzer’s alleged condoning of the action was substantially motivated by the protected speech. She advised the Board on the legal definition of sexual harassment and advised them that they possessed the authority to fire an at-will employee. There is no evidence that she recommended Trant’s suspension or termination. Further, Trant provides no evidence that Balzer deliberately avoided advising the Board about the -22- unlawfulness of terminating an employee for his protected speech—nor is it clear that the situation called for such advice.