Celotex Corp. v. Catrett

Holding that a movant's summary judgment motion should be granted "against a [nonmovant] who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial"

Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Servs., Inc.

Holding that "[w]hatever evidentiary route the plaintiff chooses to follow, he or she must always prove that the conduct at issue was not merely tinged with offensive . . . connotations"

Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins

Holding that an employer discriminated on the basis of sex when he "act[ed] on the basis of a belief that a woman cannot be aggressive, or that she must not be"

Holt v. Hobbs

Holding beard searches address prison's safety concerns in context of religious discrimination claim under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 ("RLUIPA")

Employment Div. v. Smith

Holding that the limitation articulated in Sherbert v. Verner, 374 U.S. 398-i.e., that governmental actions that substantially burden a religious practice must be justified by a compelling governmental interest-does not apply to neutral, generally applicable laws

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

Holding that the choice between providing insurance coverage in accordance with the plaintiffs’ religious beliefs or paying a large fine was a substantial burden

Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah

Holding that statements by city council, including asking: "[w]hat can we do to prevent the Church from opening?" to show animus

Thomas v. Review Bd. of the Ind. Emp't Sec. Div.

Holding that "it is not within the judicial function and judicial competence to inquire whether the petitioner or [another member of his faith] more correctly perceived the commands of their common faith," because "[c]ourts are not arbiters of scriptural interpretation"

Gen. Tel. Co. v. EEOC

Holding that "the EEOC's enforcement suits should not be considered representative actions subject to Rule 23"

Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Ass'n

Holding that an adherent was not entitled to challenge a third party's actions that offended his beliefs

Rule 56 - Summary Judgment

Holding a party may move for summary judgment on any part of any claim or defense in the lawsuit

Section 2000e-2 - Unlawful employment practices

Adopting case law prior to June 4, 1989, “with respect to the concept of ‘alternative employment practice’ ”

Section 2000cc-1 - Protection of religious exercise of institutionalized persons

Requiring the inmate to prove that a policy imposes a "substantial burden" on his religious exercise and the government to prove that the policy furthers a "compelling governmental interest"

Section 2000bb - Congressional findings and declaration of purposes

Finding that in Smith, "the Supreme Court virtually eliminated the requirement that the government justify burdens on religious exercise imposed by laws neutral toward religion"

Section 2000bb-1 - Free exercise of religion protected

Providing for "appropriate relief" in judicial suit

Section 2000e-1 - Exemption

Exempting religious employers from Title VII's prohibition against religious discrimination in hiring

Section 1604.9 - Fringe benefits