Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory

Holding: An employer defending a disparate-impact claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 bears both the burden of production and the burden of persuasion for the "reasonable factors other than age" affirmative defense under Section 623(f)(1).

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 7-1, in an opinion by Justice David Souter on June 19, 2008. Justice Thomas joined the opinion of the Supreme Court as to Parts I and II-A. Justice Scalia filed an opinion concurring in the judgment. Justice Thomas filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part. Justice Breyer took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.

Briefs and Documents

• Opinion below (2nd Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner’s reply
• Invitation brief of the United States (recommending grant)

Merit briefs

• Brief for Petitioner Clifford B. Meacham, et al.
• Brief for Respondent Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, et al.
• Reply Brief for Petitioner Clifford B. Meacham, et al.

Amicus briefs

• Brief for AARP, the American Association of University Professors, and the National Employment Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for General Electric in Support of Respondent
• Brief for the National School Board Association in Support of Respondent
• Brief for Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America in Support of Respondent
• Brief for the Employment Labor Law Committee of the Association of Corporate Counsel in Support of Respondent
• Brief for the Equal Employment Advisory Council, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Society for Human Resources Management in Support of Respondent