Smith v. Madison County Firemen's Ass'n
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
Norvell Smith sued the Madison County Firemen’s Association under Title VTI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq., alleging that the Association discriminated against him because of his race by providing unequal employment benefits. During the pendency of the case, he was discharged. He subsequently amended his complaint to allege unlawful discharge because of racial discrimination. After a bench trial held on April 24, 2001, the district court entered judgment in favor of the Association. Smith appeals, and we dismiss his appeal for noncompliance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(a)(9).
Rule 28(a)(9)(A) specifies that an appellant’s brief must contain the appellant’s “contentions and the reasons for them, with citations to the authorities and parts of the record on which the appellant relies.” Although we construe pro se filings like Smith’s liberally, Rule 28(a)(9) requires that even pro se litigants include a legal argument and supporting authority in their briefs. Anderson v. Hardman, 241 F.3d 544, 545 (7th Cir. 2001). From an appellant’s brief, we must be able to discern some cogent argument that forms a basis to reverse the district court’s judgment. United States v. Lanzotti, 205 F.3d 951, 957 (7th Cir. 2000) (“It is not this court’s responsibility to research and construct the parties’ arguments.”). Indeed, litigants “should expect that noncompliance with Rule 28 will result in dismissal of the appeal.” Anderson, 241 F.3d at 545-46.
DISMISSED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Norvell SMITH v. MADISON COUNTY FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION
- Status
- Published