Bias claim by ex-House member rejected

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A Black attorney who represented Alabama in Congress for four terms and ran for governor can’t pursue a racial discrimination claim against the nonprofit legal organization he once headed, a federal appeals court ruled.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a decision Thursday, refused to reinstate Artur Davis’ lawsuit against Legal Services Alabama, which has eight offices statewide and provides legal assistance to the needy in civil matters.

Once a rising star in state and national politics, the 54-year-old Davis worked as executive director of Legal Services Alabama for nine months ending in August 2017 before resigning. He later filed suit claiming he was forced out and treated unfairly because of his race.

But a three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s decision dismissing his lawsuit. It cited a lack of proof that Davis suffered an “adverse employment action” such as a demotion, pay cut or unpaid leave.