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.
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
