In this  episode, we dive into the five most influential Supreme Court cases that shape the landscape of modern employment law. From McDonnell Douglas v. Green and its burden-shifting magic to Faragher and Ellerth reshaping harassment doctrine, we unpack how these rulings impact everything from intake interviews to courtroom strategy. Whether you're a new attorney or a law student dreaming of litigation, this episode is your essential guide to the jurisprudence every employment litigator must know—and why it still matters today.

Quinn Patton, LC
Employment & Civil Rights Litigators
www.quinnpatton.com

What do you do when you know you were fired for who you are—but there's no proof, just pattern? In this episode, we take you inside the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework, the legal spine behind most discrimination cases in America.

Through the fictional (but all-too-real) stories of Vanessa, Darryl, and Ayesha, we unpack how the law tries—and often fails—to measure intent. We explore the three steps that plaintiffs must climb: showing a prima facie case, responding to the employer’s so-called “legitimate reason,” and finally proving pretext. It’s legal theory with a human face.

If you’ve ever felt gaslit by an institution or wondered why some stories never make it to trial, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and hear why justice is often less about the facts and more about what survives procedure.

#LegalPodcast #McDonnellDouglas #TitleVII #DiscriminationLaw #Storytelling #JusticeExplained #Buzzsprout

Quinn Patton, LC
Employment & Civil Rights Litigators
www.quinnpatton.com

This episode explores the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the independent agency safeguarding the integrity of the federal workforce. From its roots in the Civil Service Act of 1883 to the transformative Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the MSPB upholds merit-based employment, adjudicates federal employee appeals, and enforces protections against prohibited personnel practices. We’ll break down its role in whistleblower protections, employee appeal rights, and the adjudication process, uncovering how this watchdog ensures fairness, neutrality, and accountability in federal employment. Tune in for a deep dive into the systems that keep government hiring and firing in check.

Quinn Patton, LC
Employment & Civil Rights Litigators
www.quinnpatton.com

How do federal workforce reductions impact employee rights? In Federal Workforce Cuts: Rights, Risks, and Legal Battles, we break down the legal framework behind Reduction in Force (RIF) procedures, the rights of federal employees, and the growing legal battles challenging mass dismissals. Featuring expert insights on cases like Gandola v. FTC and James v. Von Zemenszky, we explore the tension between agency discretion and employee protections. With reports of potential abuses in RIF processes, including pretextual firings disguised as "performance issues," we ask: Are federal workers being unlawfully dismissed? Tune in for a deep dive into the legal and ethical stakes in government downsizing.

Quinn Patton, LC
Employment & Civil Rights Litigators
www.quinnpatton.com

Welcome to "Your Workplace Rights," the podcast where we break down the most pressing issues in employment law so you can understand your rights and protect your future.  Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s making waves in the federal workforce—the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs under a new Executive Order.

What does this mean for you as a federal employee? How will these changes reshape your workplace, and what rights do you still have under existing civil rights laws? From sweeping layoffs of DEI staff to the removal of diversity training programs, these policies claim to restore merit-based systems while raising serious questions about fairness, inclusivity, and the future of workplace equity.

We’ll explore the legal landscape, uncover what these shifts mean for federal and private-sector employees, and discuss how you can take action to protect your rights. Whether you’re navigating this new terrain as a federal worker, an employer, or someone impacted by these changes, this episode is for you.

Stay tuned—because understanding your rights is the first step toward standing up for them!

Quinn Patton, LC
Employment & Civil Rights Litigators
www.quinnpatton.com