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Case No. 19-1954

Christopher J. Godfrey
v.
State of Iowa, Terry Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, in His Official Capacity, Brenna Findley, Legal Counsel to the Governor of the State of Iowa, in Her Official Capacity

Defendants appeal from a district court judgment entered on a jury verdict awarding plaintiff $1,500,000 in damages on his claims alleging sexual orientation discrimination in violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act and a constitutional tort claim. Defendants contend the court erred: (1) in allowing the jury to decide claims that are not actionable and were unsupported by substantial evidence; (2) by allowing improper evidence to establish discriminatory motive, such as the defendant’s public-policy views; (3) in submitting misleading and confusing jury instructions which misstated the law; (4) by allowing plaintiff to present evidence of emotional distress after refusing to answer deposition questions about his medical condition, and by precluding defendants from presenting evidence regarding plaintiff’s medical condition; (5) in declining to grant defendants a new trial because of an excessive award for emotional distress damages; and (6) in pressuring defendants to consent to a change of venue.

County:
Jasper

Appellee

Christopher J. Godfrey

Appellant

State of Iowa, Terry Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, in His Official Capacity, Brenna Findley, Legal Counsel to the Governor of the State of Iowa, in Her Official Capacity

Attorneys for the Appellee

Roxanne Conlin
Devin Kelly
Jean Mauss

Attorneys for the Appellant

Frank Harty
Debra Hulett
Katie Graham
David Bower

Supreme Court

Oral Argument Schedule

115-15-5

Mar 24, 2021 9:30 AM

Briefs

Supreme Court Opinion

Opinion Number:
19-1954
Date Published:
Jun 30, 2021
Date Amended:
Sep 14, 2021

Other Information

Date Retained:
Dec 01, 2020

View archived opinions from prior to November 2017

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