Joseph Anoruo v. Robert A. McDonald

MEMORANDUM

Joseph Chidi Anoruo appeals pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in his Title VII employment action alleging discrimination on the basis of national origin and retaliation. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review de novo, Pavoni v. Chrysler Grp., LLC, 789 F.3d 1095, 1098 (9th Cir. 2015), and we affirm.

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Anoruo’s discrimination claim because Anoruo failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether defendant’s legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for not promoting him was pretextual. See Vasquez v. County of Los Angeles, 349 F.3d 634 , 640-42 & n.5 (9th Cir. 2004) (discussing elements of a discrimination claim under Title VII and explaining that circumstantial evidence of pretext must be specific and substantial).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Anoruo’s retaliation claim because Anoruo failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether there was a causal link between his pending discrimination claim and defendant’s decision not to promote him. See Cornwell v. Electra Cent. Credit Union, 439 F.3d 1018, 1034-36 (9th Cir. 2006)…