Wrongful Termination Not So Wrong After All

In a wrongful termination case, the defense obtained a partial summary judgment on behalf of a regional environmental consulting firm, including a supervisor and its head of Human Resources. The plaintiff had taken just one deposition, and discovery had just commenced, when the New Jersey Superior Court judge dismissed on the defense's motion to the plaintiff's claims of breach of contract, tortious interference with a contract, and breach of public policy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. After the motion was filed, plaintiff's counsel argued that he would agree to have some claims withdrawn, with the ability to file again later, should more information be revealed through discovery. The defense argued that the claims should be dismissed as a matter of law. The judge denied the plaintiff's request and entered a summary judgment order in favor of the defense, thus greatly reducing the plaintiff's initial demand of $500,000 in damages.