Job Discrimination: Griffin v. Brighton Dental Group

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U.S. District Court, Western District of New York

Job Discrimination

Griffin v. Brighton Dental Group
09-CV-6616
Judge Payson

Background: Pro se plaintiff Sheila Griffin has filed a complaint in the above-captioned matter alleging that the defendants discriminated against her in her employment on the basis of her race, sex and disability in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The defendants have filed a counterclaim for defamation against Griffin. Currently pending before this court is a motion by Griffin to amend to her complaint to add several defendants and causes of action. Griffin also has filed a motion to appoint counsel.
Griffin’s initial complaint named Brighton Dental Group and Y.C. Mruthyunjaya as defendants. The factual allegations of her original complaint assert that Mruthyunjaya physically assaulted her in July 2007 and that another employee of Brighton Dental Group, Neelam Bajaj, slapped her in the face. Griffin also claimed that she was verbally and emotionally harassed. Griffin’s causes of action included discrimination claims under Title VII and the ADA on the basis of her race, color, sex and disability. Mruthyunjaya’s counterclaim for defamation against Griffin alleges that Griffin’s claim that he struck her is false and has damaged his personal and professional reputation.

Ruling: The court grants in part and denies in part Griffin’s motion to amend her complaint and deny her motion to appoint counsel. The court is unable to ascertain at this early stage of the litigation whether the plaintiff’s claims likely have merit. In any event, the plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that her case is complex or that she will be unable to litigate adequately this case without assistance of counsel. In addition, the court also notes that there are a limited number of local attorneys available to handle cases on a pro bono basis and, so as not to make volunteer counsel unavailable to a possibly more deserving client, the court denies the motion at this time without prejudice.

Sheila Griffin, plaintiff pro se; Mary E. Aramini for the defendants