⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Fourth Circuit hears James Robertson’s military-employment dispute with Boeing. Robertson was a military reservist and a fleet-planning analyst at Boeing. He says complaints about military absences led to his removal from the Hawaiian Airlines account in 2017. He argues that this damaged his career and contributed to his layoff seven years later. Boeing says performance problems and a companywide reduction in force explain its decisions. Robertson sued under USERRA, a federal law protecting workers against discrimination based on military service. The district judge ruled for Boeing without a trial, finding insufficient evidence of service-based discrimination. Robertson now appeals. The questions include whether the account assignment was a protected employment benefit, whether military service motivated its loss, and whether it caused the later harm. Joseph Wilkinson will argue for Robertson.

James Robertson v. The Boeing Company (No. 25-2313) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued October 28, 2026.