Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Ellen H. Decotiis v. Lori Whittemore, Individually and In Her Official Capacity As Director

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Before Torruella and Lipez, Circuit Judges, and Smith, *fn1 District Judge.

In this case we must consider the First Amendment rights of a speech and language therapist working as a state contractor.*fn2 Navigating the shoals of the standard articulated by the Supreme Court in Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006), has proven to be tricky business, and particularly so in the context of a motion to dismiss, because the inquiry is so highly fact intensive and context specific.

Plaintiff Ellen H. Decotiis brought suit against Child Development Services-Cumberland County (“CDS-Cumberland”), Lori Whittemore individually and in her official capacity as Director of CDS-Cumberland, and Debra Hannigan in her official capacity as State Director of Child Development Services (“CDS”) (collectively the “Defendants”) pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Decotiis alleges that she was retaliated against in violation of her First Amendment free speech rights for expressing her opinion to parents that CDS-Cumberland was not in compliance with state regulations and urging parents to contact advocacy organizations to address this problem. She seeks a declaration that the non-renewal of her CDS-Cumberland contract was a violation of her First Amendment rights, injunctive relief to reinstate her contract and to prevent future retaliation based on protected speech, and attorney’s fees. She also seeks compensatory and punitive damages from Whittemore, and compensatory damages from CDS-Cumberland.

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
New Jersey Legal Awards 2024
October 29, 2024
East Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey Law Journal honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in New Jersey with their dedication to the profession.


Learn More
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
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow LLP is a highly regarded legal firm based in Edison, New Jersey. The firm specializes in medical malpractice and per...


Apply Now ›
Associate Professor or Professor of Law

The George Washington University Law School invites applications for multiple tenure-track or tenured faculty appointments, at the rank of A...


Apply Now ›
Employment Attorneys Senior Counsel - Los Angeles, Ventura, California

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani has an immediate opening for experienced Employment Attorneys in its Los Angeles and Ventura offices. Candida...


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