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UNPAID WAGE

AND OVERTIME

RACE DISCRIMINATION

GENDER DISCRIMINATION

CONSUMER

CLASS ACTIONS

EMPLOYMENT CLASS & COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

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EQUAL PAY ACT

FALSE CLAIMS ACT -

QUI TAM

Race Discrimination

Individuals may not be denied access to such public accommodations based on their race, color, gender or religion.  In addition, individuals may not be treated less favorably in their employment based upon their race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, or immigrant status.

 

Sam J. Smith with co-counsel represented employees who sued for race discrimination in recruiting, hiring, promotion and treatment in Haynes v. Shoney’s, Inc., No. 89-30093-RV (N.D. Fla. 1993). The Shoney’s plaintiffs obtained a settlement of $132.5 million dollars, one of the largest monetary recoveries ever awarded in a Title VII case.

 

In 1999, Burr & Smith sued the Adam’s Mark Hotel chain on behalf of individuals who experienced discriminatory treatment when they visited or attempted to stay at the Adam's Mark Hotel to attend the Black College Reunion Week.  The case settled in December 2001 for $2.1 million dollars, $600,000 of which was earmarked for four historically black colleges in Florida to pay for scholarships or business management programs.

 

In June 2000, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs gave its Outstanding Achievement in Public Accommodations award to the lawyers of Burr & Smith for their representation of plaintiffs who experienced discriminatory treatment at the Adam’s Mark Hotel when they participated in their Black College Reunion.

 

In July 2003, the NAACP presented its Foot Soldiers’ Award to Charles G. Burr and Sam J. Smith in tribute to their “enduring pursuit of justice,” their “advocacy on behalf of many who are without means of redress” and for “leaving footprints on the sands of time that others can follow.”

 

Burr & Smith has extensive experience in representing employees in these types of claims.  Please take the opportunity to review additional cases on behalf of workers here [with link to cases below].

 

• Gilliam et al. v. HBE Corporation d/b/a Adam’s Mark Hotels: Plaintiffs sued the Adam’s Mark Hotel chain on behalf of individuals who experienced discriminatory treatment when they visited or attempted to stay at the Adam's Mark Hotel to attend the Black College Reunion Week.  The case settled in December 2001 for $2.1 million dollars, $600,000 of which was earmarked for four historically black colleges in Florida to pay for scholarships or business management programs.

 

• Haynes v. Shoney’s, Inc: Plaintiffs sued for race discrimination in recruiting, hiring, promotion and treatment at Shoney’s restaurants. The Shoney’s plaintiffs obtained a settlement of $132.5 million dollars, one of the largest monetary recoveries ever awarded in a Title VII case.

 

• Smith v. Zacco: Burr & Smith with co-counsel represented a black couple in opposing discrimination and retaliation on the basis of race and color by a building contractor and others in Ocala, Florida in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

 

• DeGrandy v. Wetherell: Charles G. Burr of Burr & Smith successfully battled in federal court on behalf of the NAACP for the redistricting of Florida's congressional and state legislative districts facilitating the election of three black U.S. Representatives from Florida.