⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Second Circuit hears Rahman's appeal in a workplace-retaliation case. In April 2019, while working for New York state, she filed a discrimination complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights. Over the following year, she received criticism in her performance reviews, faced disciplinary questioning and was placed on paid administrative leave. She says these actions were punishment for complaining. The supervisors say her work performance and refusal to provide information for an investigation justified their actions. The district court dismissed her federal and state retaliation claims without a trial, finding insufficient evidence that their explanations concealed retaliation. Her lawyer will argue that supervisors' emails connect the discipline to her complaints and that a jury should decide their meaning. The appeal concerns how courts separate legitimate workplace management from unlawful retaliation, and when disputed evidence requires a trial.

Rahman v. Carlin (No. 25-2876) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 29, 2026.