Peter jennings sexual harassment

Employment Law Review

In a highly publicized case which has been in the court system for eight years, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, recently held that Melissa Jennings, a former soccer player at UNC, could continue to trial with her lawsuit claiming that her coach Anson Dorrance’s sexual comments toward her and members of the female soccer team at UNC constituted sexual harassment by creating a sexually hostile environment.

 The Fourth Circuit also held that the University had actual knowledge of the alleged sexual harassment, but did not take appropriate action to address the complaints.  Therefore, Ms. Jennings may continue her suit against UNC as well.

 The ruling by the en banc Fourth Circuit, rendered on April 9, 2007, reversed a three judge panel of the Fourth Circuit, which had upheld the dismissal of the case against Coach Dorrance and the University by the