Case: Sanders v. District of Columbia

1:22-cv-02259 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 1, 2022

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On August 1, 2022, four Black female firefighters filed suit against the District of Columbia, alleging that D.C. Fire and EMS (DC FEMS) discriminated against them on the basis of race and gender. Plaintiffs alleged discriminatory pay, disciplinary, and overtime assignment practices in violation of Title VII, and sought injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as back, lost wages, and compensatory damages. Despite obtaining paramedic certifications that entitle DC FEMS to 15% premium to their…

Despite obtaining paramedic certifications that entitle DC FEMS to 15% premium to their base pay, Plaintiffs were denied this premium because they were in the Fire Prevention Division. While Plaintiffs were unlikely to use their paramedic skills in the course of their employment in this unit, they nonetheless had to maintain their certifications for their significant overtime work and for inevitable transfer or promotion to other units. The decision not to award premium pay to the Fire Prevention Division affected a very small group of people, the majority of whom were African American and four of whom were African American women.

Plaintiffs alleged that the discipline procedures at DC FEMS were stricter for African Americans and African American women. Plaintiffs further alleged that the overtime assignment practices discriminated against African Americans and African American women because Lieutenants could and did manipulate the assignment process to favor their preferred employees and to disadvantage Plaintiffs.

On August 4, 2022, the case was assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. As of December 2022, litigation remained ongoing.

Summary Authors

Anna Lennon (12/21/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64860280/parties/sanders-v-district-of-columbia/

Judge(s)

Howell, Beryl Alaine (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Keith, Pamela M. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Addo, Michael K. (District of Columbia)

Mullen, Martha J. (District of Columbia)

Torres, Amanda (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Howell, Beryl Alaine (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Keith, Pamela M. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Addo, Michael K. (District of Columbia)

Mullen, Martha J. (District of Columbia)

Torres, Amanda (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:22-cv-02259	Complaint; Jury Trial Demanded	Aug. 1, 2022	Aug. 1, 2022 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64860280/sanders-v-district-of-columbia/

Last updated April 14, 2026, 5:55 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Aug. 1, 2022	COMPLAINT Plaintiffs Jadonna Sanders, Shalonda Smith, Takeva Thomas, Bolatito Ajose against DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9409443) filed by JADONNA SANDERS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/01/2022) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Aug. 4, 2022	SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, District of Columbia Attorney General, and the District of Columbia Mayor. (zmrl) (Entered: 08/04/2022)	RECAP
3	Aug. 4, 2022	REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to Mayor of the District of Columbia re 1 Complaint, filed by JADONNA SANDERS. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by JADONNA SANDERS.(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/04/2022)	RECAP
	Aug. 4, 2022	Case Assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. (zmrl)
	Aug. 4, 2022	NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to pamkeith@centerforemploymentjustice.com, cc'd 1 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Missing/incorrect summonses. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to issue., 2. Missing DC MAYOR Summons (zmrl, )
	Aug. 4, 2022	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Aug. 4, 2022	Notice of QC- New Case
4	Aug. 5, 2022	STANDING ORDER. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on August 5, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 08/05/2022)	RECAP
5	Aug. 31, 2022	AMENDED COMPLAINT against DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA with Jury Demand filed by JADONNA SANDERS, BOLATITO AJOSE, TAKEVA THOMAS, SHALONDA SMITH. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 08/31/2022)	RECAP
6	Sept. 27, 2022	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Addo, Michael) (Entered: 09/27/2022)	RECAP
	Sept. 28, 2022	MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING defendant's 6 Consent Motion to Enlarge Time to Respond to Plaintiffs' Complaint, and DIRECTING defendant to answer or otherwise respond to plaintiffs' Amended Complaint by October 27, 2022. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 28, 2022. (lcbah2)
	Sept. 28, 2022	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	Sept. 29, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer to the Amended Complaint due by 10/27/2022. (ztg)
	Sept. 29, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines
7	Oct. 11, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda Torres on behalf of All Defendants (Torres, Amanda) (Entered: 10/11/2022)	RECAP
	Oct. 11, 2022	NOTICE OF ERROR re 7 Notice of Appearance; emailed to amanda.torres@dc.gov, cc'd 3 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Please note the following deficiency and file/refile document as instructed, 2. Two-part document; second docket entry is required, 3. Counsel has not filed an appearance in the case; Notice of Appearance is required (LCrR 44.5(a)), 4. Martha J. Mullen needs to enter their own notice of appearance using their own ECF login/password. (zed, )
	Oct. 11, 2022	Notice of QC
8	Oct. 13, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda Torres on behalf of DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Torres, Amanda) (Entered: 10/13/2022)	RECAP
9	Oct. 27, 2022	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Mullen, Martha) (Entered: 10/27/2022)	RECAP
	Oct. 28, 2022	MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING defendant's 9 Consent Motion to Extend, and DIRECTING defendant to file, by November 3, 2022, any response to plaintiffs' 1 Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on October 28, 2022. (lcbah2)
	Oct. 28, 2022	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	Oct. 31, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer to the Complaint due by 11/3/2022. (ztg)
	Oct. 31, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines
10	Nov. 3, 2022	MOTION to Dismiss or MOTION for Summary Judgment by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Torres, Amanda). Added MOTION for Summary Judgment on 11/8/2022 (zed). (Entered: 11/03/2022)	RECAP
11	Nov. 9, 2022	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 11/09/2022)	RECAP
	Nov. 10, 2022	MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING plaintiffs' 11 Consent Motion for Enlargement of Time to File Response to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and for Partial Summary Judgment, and DIRECTING plaintiffs to file, by December 17, 2022, any response to defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 10, 2022. (lcbah2)
	Nov. 10, 2022	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
	Nov. 14, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment due by 12/17/2022. (ztg)
	Nov. 14, 2022	Set/Reset Deadlines
12	Dec. 19, 2022	RESPONSE re 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit EXHIBIT 1 to Opposition to MTD, # 2 Exhibit EXHIBIT 2 to Opp. to MTD)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 12/19/2022)	RECAP
13	Dec. 19, 2022	MOTION to Amend/Correct 10 MOTION to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment MOTION for Summary Judgment by BOLATITO AJOSE, JADONNA SANDERS, SHALONDA SMITH, TAKEVA THOMAS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit EXHIBIT 1 to Mot. Leave Amd, # 2 Exhibit REDLINE of 2d Am. Comp)(Keith, Pamela) (Entered: 12/19/2022)	RECAP
	Jan. 4, 2023	MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING defendant to SHOW CAUSE, by January 11, 2023, why plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint should not be granted in light of defendant's lack of objection and why defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment should not be denied as moot subject to plaintiffs' filing of a Second Amended Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 4, 2023. (lcbah2)
	Jan. 4, 2023	.Order
	Jan. 5, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to Show Cause due by 1/11/2023. (ztg)
	Jan. 5, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
	Jan. 17, 2023	MINUTE ORDER (paperless), given defendant's untimeliness in opposing plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint and in responding to the Court's January 4, 2023, Order to Show Cause regarding plaintiffs' pending motion and the potential mootness of defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint by the January 11, 2023, deadline, GRANTING plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Leave to Amend the First Amended Complaint and DENYING AS MOOT defendant's 10 Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, or for Summary Judgment. See Gray v. D.C. Pub. Schs., 688 F. Supp. 2d 1, 6 (D.D.C. 2010) (noting general rule that "[w]hen a plaintiff amends [his] complaint, it renders a motion to dismiss that complaint moot"). Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 17, 2023. (lcbah2)
	Jan. 17, 2023	Order on Motion for Summary Judgment AND Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Dismiss
	Jan. 17, 2023	Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion for Summary Judgment AND Order on Motion to Dismiss
	Jan. 17, 2023	Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Dismiss AND Order on Motion for Summary Judgment
	Jan. 19, 2023	MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING plaintiffs to refile [13-1] Second Amended Complaint on the docket due to an error in the existing submission, which is missing a signature from counsel of record and has paragraphs missing in comparison to [13-2] Redline of Second Amended Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 19, 2023. (lcbah2)
	Jan. 19, 2023	.Order
	March 20, 2023	.Order
	March 21, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
14	March 22, 2023	Amended Complaint	RECAP
15	March 23, 2023	Response to Order to Show Cause	RECAP
	March 27, 2023	.Order
	March 28, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
16	April 18, 2023	Extension of Time to File Answer	RECAP
	April 18, 2023	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	April 19, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
17	April 28, 2023	Answer to Amended Complaint	RECAP
	June 21, 2023	.Order
	June 22, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
18	July 5, 2023	Response to Order to Show Cause	RECAP
	July 6, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
	July 6, 2023	.Order
19	Aug. 7, 2023	Proposed Briefing Schedule	RECAP
	Aug. 8, 2023	.Order
	Aug. 9, 2023	Set/Reset Deadlines
20	Aug. 24, 2023	Rule 26a1 Statement	RECAP
21	Aug. 24, 2023	Errata	RECAP
22	March 1, 2024	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
23	March 6, 2024	Protective Order	RECAP
	March 6, 2024	Notice of QC
	March 12, 2024	Order on Motion for Protective Order
	March 12, 2024	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery
	March 12, 2024	Set/Reset Deadlines
24	March 19, 2024	Protective Order	RECAP
25	March 19, 2024	Standing Order	RECAP
	March 19, 2024	Order on Motion for Protective Order
26	March 21, 2024	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
27	May 17, 2024	Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance	RECAP
28	June 6, 2024	Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance	RECAP
29	June 28, 2024	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	June 28, 2024	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery
	June 29, 2024	Set/Reset Deadlines
30	Sept. 27, 2024	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	Sept. 27, 2024	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery
	Sept. 30, 2024	Set/Reset Deadlines
31	Dec. 23, 2024	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	Dec. 23, 2024	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery
	Dec. 26, 2024	Set/Reset Deadlines
32	Jan. 2, 2025	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
33	Jan. 13, 2025	Notice of Substitution of Counsel	RECAP
34	April 26, 2025	Extension of Time to	RECAP
	April 29, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to
	April 30, 2025	Set/Reset Deadlines
35	Aug. 19, 2025	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
36	Aug. 19, 2025	Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance	RECAP
37	Aug. 20, 2025	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	Aug. 21, 2025	.Order
	Aug. 22, 2025	Set/Reset Deadlines
38	Nov. 13, 2025	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	Nov. 14, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery
	Nov. 17, 2025	Set/Reset Deadlines
39	Feb. 17, 2026	Extension of Time to Complete Discovery	RECAP
	Feb. 19, 2026	.Order
	Feb. 20, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 1, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Four African American female D.C. firefighters

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

D.C. Fire and EMS

Defendant Type(s):

Fire

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:22-cv-02259

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Pay / Benefits

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Sex discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Sanders v. District of Columbia, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/43921/ (last updated 12/21/2022).