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Case Citation
Legal Case Name

FEDERAL EXP. CORP. v. HOLOWECKI Case Brief

Supreme Court of United States2008
128 S.Ct. 1147 552 U.S. 389 170 L.Ed.2d 10

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
3 min read

tl;dr: The Supreme Court held that an EEOC intake questionnaire and affidavit can constitute a “charge” under the ADEA if it reasonably requests agency action, deferring to the EEOC’s interpretation.

Legal Significance: Established that a filing with the EEOC constitutes a “charge” under the ADEA if it objectively manifests an intent to request agency action, affording deference to the EEOC’s interpretation.

FEDERAL EXP. CORP. v. HOLOWECKI Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Respondents, current and former FedEx couriers over 40, sued FedEx, alleging its performance standards programs violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA). FedEx moved to dismiss plaintiff Patricia Kennedy’s claim, arguing she failed to file a “charge” with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at least 60 days before suing, as required by 29 U.S.C. § 626(d). Kennedy had submitted an EEOC Form 283, an “Intake Questionnaire,” and a signed affidavit detailing the alleged discrimination and requesting the EEOC to “force Federal Express to end their age discrimination plan.” The ADEA does not define “charge.” The District Court found these documents did not constitute a charge, but the Second Circuit reversed. The EEOC’s regulations provide some guidance but do not offer a comprehensive definition. The EEOC, as amicus curiae, argued that a filing is a charge if it reasonably requests the agency to take remedial action.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: What constitutes a “charge” under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and did the respondent’s submission of an Intake Questionnaire and accompanying affidavit to the EEOC meet this definition?

The respondent’s Intake Questionnaire and attached affidavit constituted a “charge” under the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in v

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IRAC Legal Analysis

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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

What constitutes a “charge” under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and did the respondent’s submission of an Intake Questionnaire and accompanying affidavit to the EEOC meet this definition?

Conclusion

This case clarifies the definition of a "charge" under the ADEA, emphasizing Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ull

Legal Rule

Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), a filing with the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in cu

Legal Analysis

The Court first addressed the ambiguity of the term "charge" in the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod te

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • A filing with the EEOC is a “charge” under the ADEA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat

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