Raymond M. Ripple

Summary judgment in hostile work environment case 

Ray represented a national retail bank that had been sued in federal court by a former employee who asserted claims for sexual harassment and retaliation. After extensive discovery, including more than ten depositions, the court awarded the bank complete summary judgment on the plaintiff’s claims. 

Dismissal of gender discrimination claims 

Ray defended a regional bank against gender discrimination claims brought by a former district manager. The plaintiff had alleged that the bank terminated his employment because of his gender, and not because of his ongoing performance issues. 

Arbitration award in pregnancy discrimination and FMLA retaliation case 

A former employee of a national healthcare company filed suit alleging that the firm’s client interfered with her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), retaliated against her for exercising those rights, and engaged in pregnancy discrimination. After a week-long arbitration hearing, Ray obtained an arbitration award dismissing the former employee’s claims in their entirety. In the award, the arbitrator complimented Ray for his thorough preparation and defense of the claims. 

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Employment Litigation 

• Dismissal of lawsuit filed in Rhode Island federal court against Rhode Island manufacturer for alleged violations of Rhode Island Whistleblower statute 
• Favorable settlement at the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities on behalf of Connecticut manufacturer in response to allegations of age and gender discrimination 
• Successfully defended claims filed in Connecticut federal court against manufacturer for age discrimination 
• Healthcare organization in a AAA arbitration where the claimant, a former call-center employee, alleged that the employer had terminated her employment in retaliation for her requesting FMLA leave; obtained complete summary judgment on behalf of the client 
• Defense counsel for a national bank whose branch manager alleged that the district manager discriminated against her because of an alleged disability; case dismissed on summary judgment 
• Complete summary judgment on behalf of a Fortune 200 bank where the retail bank branch manager alleged age and reverse gender discrimination claims 
• Bank in a federal court action where the applicant alleged that his employment offer was rescinded in violation of state criminal records laws 
• AAA arbitration awarded in favor of a long-term care pharmacy where former pharmacist alleged that she had been discriminated against because of her pregnancy and FMLA leave 
• Summary judgment ruling in a AAA arbitration on behalf of a national retailer involving claims of race and gender discrimination 
• FINRA arbitration awarded in favor of broker-dealer where terminated financial services representative alleged that company had engaged in defamation by reporting his termination on Form U5 disclosure form 
• Successfully defended a broker-dealer against termination and defamation claims at a FINRA arbitration hearing that resulted in a de minimis award against the company despite multi-million-dollar damages sought by the claimant 
• Preliminary injunction issued on behalf of a manufacturing company against former sales employees for violation of confidentiality agreements and misuse of trade secrets 
• Defense of numerous sexual harassment and discrimination claims asserted in both state and federal courts, and in arbitration 

Commercial and Financial Services Litigation 

• Dismissal of a federal court action against a national airline where the customer alleged disability discrimination and violations of the Air Carrier Access Act; the decision was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 
• Defended an insurance underwriter against an administrative enforcement action brought by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that alleged underwriting practices were racially discriminatory 
• Dismissal of breach of contract and bad faith claims brought against a property and casualty insurer 
• Negotiated a favorable settlement for a Fortune 100 bank in a federal court action that alleged claims of predatory residential lending practices 
• Preliminary injunction granted in a federal court action on behalf of a family-owned home services company based on a national competitor’s unfair and deceptive business practices