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A racial discrimination lawsuit filed against James Madison University by former employee Darla Edwards has been officially dismissed. The case, which included Edwards’ claim that she was denied a promotion due to her race, as well as counterclaims from JMU, Virginia Education Strategies, and Jennifer Stevens, was discontinued in full on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg.
Last month, Edwards’ attorney, Tim Schulte, withdrew from the case, citing a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship that prevented him from continuing representation. Following this, the judge set a deadline for Edwards to secure new legal counsel or proceed pro se, giving her until the previous Friday to do so.
With no new attorney stepping in and no further court filings, the dismissal concludes the legal dispute ahead of the scheduled October 21 trial date. The outcome brings an end to the federal lawsuit that raised questions about workplace discrimination at the university.
SOURCE: Rocktown Now