December 4, 2025
Samysha Williams v. Dolton, et al.; Case No. 24 CV 2128
In this case, plaintiff sued the Village of Dolton, former Mayor and former Village Administrator for violation of the FMLA, retaliation and denial of procedural due process, retaliatory discharge, conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiff, who was formerly employed by the Village as the Director of the Building Permits and License Department, alleged that because she refused to willingly withhold business permits in exchange for campaign donations as requested by former Mayor Henyard, she was transferred to the Water Department by former Village Administrator Freeman. Plaintiff gave notice to Dolton to take leave under the FMLA, which she alleged was approved, seeking leave due to stress and retaliation at work. She was later terminated and filed suit.
At trial, Mike and Kelly were successful in getting the FMLA claim and all but one of the others dismissed by the jury. While the jury found in favor of plaintiff on the state law retaliatory discharge claim, this was one for the win column given the FMLA claim exposed the Village to the largest damages and plaintiff’s attorney fees. Mike and Kelly, with the help of Kathleen, were able to achieve a very favorable result for the Village. Amazing work, team!
Categories: Cases