The Final Word

Wright Beamer secures victory at every level – including the Supreme Court.

In 2024, Evan Chall represented the Defendants, a local transportation company and its owner, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Plaintiff worked as an office staff member for the company, and she was terminated as a result of her tardiness. The Plaintiff filed suit, alleging national origin discrimination. She described herself as a “descendant of the Autochthonous Natives of Americas” and claimed that the company did not discipline employees of Russian ancestry for being late.

In its decision granting summary judgment in favor of the Defendants, the court held:

there is no federally recognized ‘Autochthonous’ or ‘Indigenous Native American’ tribe,” and courts “have routinely dismissed national origin discrimination claims like Plaintiff’s that are brought by ‘native-born individuals . . . who claim to be affiliated with a tribal government purportedly existing independently of any federally recognized Indian tribe.

Not satisfied with this decision, the Plaintiff appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision in 2025.

The Plaintiff ultimately filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. Last month, the Supreme Court denied certiorari; thus, this matter is now fully and finally resolved in favor of the Defendants.

Wright Beamer is proud of this result, which sends a powerful message about the value of standing firm and defending against claims that lack factual or legal support. Contact us today at 248.477.6300 for assistance in handling employment disputes or issues.