Marielise Kelly and Elise Marshall obtain Defense Verdict in Civil Rights case

Jury Verdict – Marielise Kelly and Elise Marshall successfully defended Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority in civil rights case tried in federal court. Kevin Brooks v. Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority; Transit Connection, Inc. and James Taylor, 19-11119-WGY, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The case involved alleged violations of the Massachusetts Public Accommodations Act, M.G.L. c. 272 §98 and the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act, M.G.L. c. 93 §102 arising out of Plaintiff’s contention that in July, 2018 he was denied access to a public transit bus operating on Martha’s Vineyard because he was black. Plaintiff sought recovery for compensatory and punitive damages. The case was tried to a defendant’s verdict before a jury from January 20, 2020 – January 23, 2020 before the Honorable William G. Young and a jury. Plaintiff’s settlement demand was as high as $3 million dollars.