Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Meis, D.O. v. ARIA HEALTH PHYSICIAN SERVICES
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
BENTLEY v. CONNELLSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
W.D. Pa. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
ROSNICK v. NORBERT, INC.
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
W.D. Pa. · 2024 · signal: cf. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
HOLLAND-CARTER v. UPMC HEALTH PLAN, INC
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
must show, not merely that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
RIVERA v. PRA HEALTH SCIENCES
E.D. Pa. · 2023 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
he plaintiff must show, not merely that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
PUNZO v. SUGARHOUSE CASINO
E.D. Pa. · 2022 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
he plaintiff must show, not merely that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
SCOTT v. UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC.
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
W.D. Pa. · 2022 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
SAMPSON v. FELICIAN SERVICES, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
MUHAMMAD v. MATRIX MEDICAL NETWORK
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
JAZAYERI v. AVAYA, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
CARTER v. NJ DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
D.N.J. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound . . . decision; it is whether the real reason is race .
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
MULLEN v. NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP
(3×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
E.D. Pa. · 2019 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
he plaintiff cannot simply show that the employer's decision was wrong or mistaken ....
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Straka v. Comcast Cable
(4×)
also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
W.D. Pa. · 2012 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
as another court of appeals has put it, 'federal courts are not arbitral boards ruling on the strength of 'cause' for discharge. the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Minetola v. Commonwealth Telephone Co.
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
3rd Cir. · 2008 · signal: cf. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is .
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Hicks v. Tech Industries
(3×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
W.D. Pa. · 2007 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes
· confidence high
he plaintiff must show, not merely 351 that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Marione v. Metropolitan Life Insurance
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
3rd Cir. · 2006 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best or even a sound business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Kautz v. Met Pro Corp
(2×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
3rd Cir. · 2005 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best or even a sound business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Richard J. Kautz v. Met-Pro Corporation
(4×)
also: Cited as authority (rule)
3rd Cir. · 2005 · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes
· confidence high
the question is not whether the employer made the best or even a sound business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Fasold v. Justice
(5×)
also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
3rd Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes
· confidence high
e must show, not merely that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Fasold v. Justice
(10×)
also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
3rd Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · quote attribution · 4 verbatim quotes
· confidence high
e must show, not merely that the employer's proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer's real reason.
examined
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Thakur v. R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute
(3×)
also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Pa. · 2003 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes
· confidence high
evidence that a plaintiff was not criticized may take on significance if the plaintiff can show that other comparable employees regularly received express evaluations of their work.
examined
Cited as authority (quoted)
PERRY-HARTMAN v. THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
federal courts are not arbitral boards ruling on the strength of the 'cause' for the . the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.
examined
Cited as authority (quoted)
SEIPLE v. CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
(4×)
also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote
· confidence high
federal courts are not arbitral boards ruling on the strength of the 'cause' for the . the question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
CHREKY
W.D. Pa. · 2026 · confidence medium
The McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework applies in ADEA cases, Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997), and the plaintiff must show by a preponderance of the evidence that age was the “but-for” cause of the adverse employment action to succeed on an ADEA claim, Gross v. FBL Fin.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
CYPHER
W.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Keller v. ORIX Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Anthony
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
The question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is [discrimination].” Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (quoting Carson v. Bethlehem Steel Corp., 82 F.3d 157, 159 (7th Cir.1996)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
CAMPAGNA
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
At the outset of this familiar three-step framework, “the plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination.” Willis v. UPMC Children’s Hosp. of Pittsburgh, 808 F.3d 638, 644 (3d Cir. 2015) (citing Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
KAHRIGER
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
The plaintiff “must show not merely that the employer’s proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer’s real reason.” Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Devincenzo
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
CHS’s non-discriminatory reason If a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case of discrimination, the burden of production shifts to the employer to “articulate a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse employment action at issue.” Jones, 198 F.3d at 412 , citing Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Bryan Pesta v. Cleveland State Univ.
6th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
The question is not whether [the defendant] conducted the ‘best, or even a sound’ inquiry, but whether the investigation was a sham, a mere pretext to retaliate.” (quoting Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997))).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
ALICEA
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
That inquiry starts with step two of McDonnell Douglas, in which “the burden of production shifts to [Defendants] to identify a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for the adverse employment action.” Smith, 589 F.3d at 690 (citing Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
BOODOO v. AMP HOME CARE LLC
W.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
“The question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is [discrimination].” Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (quoting Carson v Bethlehem Steel Corp., 82 F.3d 157, 159 (7th Cir. 1996)).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
REESE v. NORTHWEST BANK
W.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Keller v. ORIX Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
TURNER v. PHILADELPHIA FIGHT
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
“The question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is [discrimination].” Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (citation omitted).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
McCann-Cross v. CORAS Wellness and Behavioral Health
D. Del. · 2025 · confidence medium
“In McDonnell Douglas, the Supreme Court created a special scheme for structuring the presentation of evidence in discriminatory treatment cases under Title VII.” Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
GELTMAN v. ALLCITY NETWORK, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Id. at 337-38 (citing Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108, 1113 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
GREEN v. MNUCHIN
(2×)
also: Cited "see"
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Plaintiff must show “not merely that the employer’s proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer’s real reason.” Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
NGAFUA v. CAREPINE HOME HEALTH, LLC
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Under the first prong of the Fuentes analysis, the plaintiff “must demonstrate such weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies, or contradictions in the employer’s proffered legitimate reasons for its actions that a reasonable factfinder could rationally find them unworthy of credence.” Keller v. Orix Credit Alliance, Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108-09 (3d Cir. 1997) (quoting Fuentes, 32 F.3d at 764 ).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
CANNON v. W.W. FRIEDLINE, INC.
(2×)
W.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Id. (citing Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc)); Britton v. Oil City Area Sch.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Susan Galette v. Avenue 365 Lending Services LLC
3rd Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
Pa., 168 F.3d 661 , 667–68 (3d Cir. 1999) (disability discrimination); Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc) (age discrimination).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Kenneth Moses v. United States Steel Corp
3rd Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
Although Moses contends that USS wrongly decided to terminate him,13 he fails to demonstrate “such weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies, or contradictions” in USS’s decision to terminate him for derailing a train “that a reasonable factfinder could rationally find them ‘unworthy of credence.’”14 B. 9 Fuentes, 32 F.3d at 765 (citations omitted) (quoting Ezold v. Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen, 983 F.2d 509, 531 (3d Cir. 1992)). 10 Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (alteration in original) (quoting Carson v. Bethlehem St…
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
ZYSK v. THERM-OMEGA-TECH, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
Showalter v. Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Ctr., 190 F.3d 231, 234 (3d Cir. 1999) (citing Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc)).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
BALDI III v. UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ctr., 190 F.3d 231, 234 (3d Cir. 1999) (citing Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1108 (3d Cir. 1997) (en banc)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
BREWER v. KEY BANK N.A.
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
In other words, a plaintiff must show that the proffered reason “was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been the employer’s real reason.” Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Kern v. DAS Companies, Inc.
(2×)
also: Cited "see"
M.D. Penn. · 2024 · confidence medium
The question is not whether the employer made the best, or even a sound, business decision; it is whether the real reason is discrimination.” See Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997) (citing Carson v. Bethlehem Steel Corp., 82 F.3d 157, 159 (7th Cir. 1996)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
WEAVER v. BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC.
D.N.J. · 2024 · confidence medium
The plaintiff must show not only that the “proffered reason was wrong, but that it was so plainly wrong that it cannot have been [its] real reason.” Keller v. Orix Credit All., Inc., 130 F.3d 1101, 1109 (3d Cir. 1997).