University of Houston Beats Assistant’s Race Bias, Leave Suit

The University of Houston prevailed in a lawsuit brought by a former executive assistant who claimed she was effectively fired because she’s Black and took protected parental leave.

Martinique Burton failed to present any evidence supporting a finding that the university’s termination was because of her taking leave, rather than her poor performance, Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas said. She also failed to show that she was treated worse than similarly-situated non-Black employees, the judge said.

Hanen’s order, docketed Monday, granted summary judgment to the university.

Burton, who worked ...