The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
EASTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
YOON S. KIM, )
)
)
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Case No. CIV-19-431-RAW
)
STATE OF OKLAHOMA, ex rel., )
BOARD OF REGENTS OF MURRAY )
STATE COLLEGE, )
)
)
)
)
)
Defendant. )
ORDER
Before the court is the partial motion of defendant to dismiss. In the second amended
complaint (#17), plaintiff alleges that his termination from employment by defendant was
unlawful discrimination based on his gender, race and national origin. The present motion
seeks dismissal of the claim for gender discrimination.
Under Rule 12(b)(6), the court must assume the truth of plaintiff’s well-pleaded facts
and draw all reasonable inferences from them in the light most favorable to plaintiff.
Western Watershed Project v. Michael, 869 F.3d 1189, 1193 (10th Cir.2017). To overcome
a motion to dismiss, a complaint must plead facts sufficient to state a claim to relief that is
plausible on its face. Sylvia v. Wisler, 875 F.3d 1307, 1313 (10th Cir.2017). A claim is
facially plausible if the plaintiff has pled factual content that allows the court to draw the
reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Id. The degree
of specificity necessary to establish plausibility and fair notice depends on context, because
what constitutes fair notice under Rule 8(a)(2) F.R.Cv.P. depends on the type of case.
Robbins v. Oklahoma, 519 F.3d 1242, 1248 (10th Cir.2008).
Defendant correctly notes that in cases of alleged “reverse discrimination,” (e.g., a
male alleging gender discrimination) plaintiff must meet a higher burden of proof. See
National Oilwell Varco Tuboscope, 2014 WL 4084243, *3 (D.Colo.2014)(discussion of
pertinent authority). Defendant cites Lupton v. Am. Fid. Assur. Co., 2015 WL 1615300
(W.D.Okla.2015), but that case was a ruling on summary judgment and thus inapplicable.
Defendant also cites Williamson v. Oklahoma ex rel. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Oklahoma,
2019 WL 6529146 (W.D.Okla.2019), but this court finds plaintiff’s allegations (#17 at ¶¶17-
29) more specific than those under review in Williamson. Under the governing standard of
review, the motion will not be granted.
It is the order of the court that the partial motion to dismiss (#19) is hereby denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 24th day of April, 2020.
_________________________________
RONALD A. WHITE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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