Davis v. Joseph J. Magnolia, Inc.
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
640 F. Supp. 2d 38 (2009)

- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
Blyden Davis (plaintiff) complained to a federal agency about the discriminatory behavior of Davis’s employer, Joseph J. Magnolia, Inc. (company) (defendant). While this complaint was pending, a company official rushed Davis into signing a form acknowledging receipt of the company’s employee manual. Unbeknownst to Davis, by signing the form, Davis also acknowledged himself to be bound by the manual’s arbitration policy. The manual described the arbitration policy as a contractual agreement between the company and each of its employees to submit any disputes to arbitration. However, the manual also stated that the company reserved the right to change any of its policies at any time. The company fired Davis two weeks after he signed the acknowledgment form. Davis sued the company in federal district court, claiming that the company’s action violated federal law. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment on the issue of whether Davis needed to submit his claim to an arbitrator.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Sullivan, J.)
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