Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Liberty Cnty. Sch. Dist. v. Halliburton

The trial court erred in failing to dismiss the plaintiff's claims against a school district and a number of its officers in their official capacities, since the Georgia Tort Claims Act expressly excludes school districts from the waiver of sovereign immunity.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After Laverne Halliburton’s contract as a school principal in the Liberty County School District was not renewed for the 2011-2012 academic year, Halliburton sued the District and a number of its officers, including Superintendent Dr. Judy Burton Scherer and seven members of the county school board collectively, “defendants”, for racial discrimination. Halliburton sought a writ of mandamus, other injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees. Defendants moved to dismiss on grounds including that defendants were entitled to sovereign and/or qualified immunity. On appeal from the trial court’s denial of the motion to dismiss, defendants argue that their motion should have been granted because Halliburton had no right to a renewed contract and because her claims are barred by sovereign and qualified immunity. We conclude that although the District itself is exempt from suit under sovereign immunity, due to the very early stage of this litigation, it is conceivable that Halliburton could produce facts consistent with her claim that Scherer and/or one or more board members acted with actual malice such that they would not be entitled to qualified immunity. We therefore affirm in part and reverse in part.

The Supreme Court of Georgia has recently reiterated how a trial court should treat a motion to dismiss:

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
MID-SENIOR LEVEL EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATE OR PARTNER WANTED FOR BOUTIQUE FIRM OPPORTUNITY TO INHERIT AND GROW PRACTICE (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an outstanding boutique litigation firm based in Atlanta, is seeking to add an experienced Employment Litigation Attorney to the...


Apply Now ›
(EXCLUSIVE FULLY REMOTE) INSURANCE COVERAGE ASSOCIATE OR COUNSEL WANTED FOR MULTI-STATE BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM (Florida)

Our client, a multi-state full-service boutique, is seeking to add an insurance coverage associate or counsel to work closely with one of th...


Apply Now ›
(EXCLUSIVE) IN-HOUSE GENERALIST ATTORNEY WANTED FOR PRIVATELY OWNED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FIRM (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an Atlanta-based and family-owned commercial construction services firm, has engaged us to identify an in-house attorney for the...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements