DALLAS – A federal judge earlier this month dismissed the case of a Dallas-based international tax attorney who sued a Washington, D.C. university, his alma mater, that he claimed discriminated against him when it banned his firm from attending a job fair following "mischaracterized information" on his resume.
John Anthony Castro's allegations formed no basis for the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants Georgetown University and an associate law school dean, according to a ruling issued by the court Aug. 14.
"Defendants' only alleged contact with Texas is that Castro, a Texas resident, placed a phone call, on an unidentified date, to Georgetown University’s Career Services Office," U.S. District Court Chief Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn said in her four-page memorandum opinion and order. "This single contact is not evidence that defendants purposefully directed any activities to Texas. Nothing about this communication shows that defendants took any action in or directed to Texas that gives rise to this lawsuit, so as to purposely avail themselves of the benefits of doing business in Texas."
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn
Castro, who is Hispanic and managing partner in Castro & Co., was almost expelled while a Georgetown student, according to the background portion of Lynn's opinion and order.
"While Castro was enrolled, the university allegedly learned that Castro had mischaracterized information on his résumé and considered expelling him, but the university ultimately did not do so," the decision and order said.
After graduation, Castro relocated to Dallas and started an international tax practice.
"At some unidentified date, Castro alleges he applied for his firm to attend Georgetown's 'Taxation Interview Program' to interview graduates of Georgetown's Master of Laws in Taxation program," the decision and order said. "The law school denied Castro's application. Castro placed a phone call to the law school to ask why his application was denied, and he was allegedly told that defendant [Nan] Hunter, an associate dean at the law school, did not want him to participate."
This past March, Castro sued Georgetown University, alleging the university's decision to bar his firm from the hiring fair amounted to discrimination, retaliation and tortious interference with prospective business relations. He sought $5 million in actual and compensatory damages.
In May, Georgetown and Hunter filed a motion to dismiss, claimed the court lacked personal jurisdiction over the defendants "and that Castro failed to allege a plausible claim for relief," the decision and order said.
Castro did not respond to the defense motion, according to the decision and order.
"Because plaintiff chose not to respond to the motion to dismiss, the court must judge the issue of jurisdiction by analyzing the complaint," Lynn wrote in her decision and order. "General jurisdiction over defendants is lacking in this case. Both defendants are located in Washington, D.C. Castro does not allege that either defendant has any other connection with Texas. Thus, Castro has not shown that either defendant is 'at home' in Texas and general jurisdiction over defendants does not exist."