Johnson v. Starbucks Corporation
- Kenneth Karas
- 7:24-cv-06266
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 3
In Johnson v. Starbucks, Judge Karas ordered U.S. Marshals service for Johnson’s claims after her permission to proceed without fees.
Summer-Annie N. Johnson, the defendant identified in the caption as Starbucks Corporate Office and elsewhere as Starbucks Corporation, the Clerk of Court, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
What happened
Summer-Annie N. Johnson, proceeding without a lawyer, sued Starbucks under federal and New York laws, alleging that her employer discriminated against her because of her color. The case is Johnson v. Starbucks Corporation.
Because the court had already allowed Johnson to proceed without paying filing fees, it directed the Clerk to issue a summons and send the necessary papers to the U.S. Marshals Service for service. The court extended the service period to 90 days after the summons is issued.
The order did not decide whether Johnson’s discrimination claims have merit. Judge Kenneth M. Karas also directed the Clerk to mail Johnson an information package and warned that she must report any address change; the case may be dismissed if she does not.
The detailed version
- Johnson v. Starbucks Corporation · No. 7:24-cv-06266
- Kenneth Karas
- Apr. 21, 2025
Background
Summer-Annie N. Johnson filed a lawsuit without a lawyer under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law. She alleges that her employer discriminated against her because of her color. The court had previously granted her permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
The opinion’s caption identifies the defendant as “Starbucks Corporate Office,” while the body and service instructions refer to “Starbucks Corporation.” The service-address section lists Starbucks Coffee at 2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134.
Service Order
Because Johnson was allowed to proceed without paying filing fees, the court directed the Clerk of Court to issue a summons, complete a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form, and send the required documents to the U.S. Marshals Service. The Marshals Service is therefore responsible for attempting service on the defendant.
The court stated that service must occur within 90 days after the summons is issued. If service is not completed within that period, Johnson should request an extension of time. The court also directed the Clerk to mail Johnson an information package.
Disposition
This order concerns service of the lawsuit, not whether the discrimination claims are legally valid. The court did not grant or deny judgment on those claims. Judge Kenneth M. Karas ordered the Clerk to issue the summons and provide the documents needed for service. Johnson must notify the court in writing if her address changes, and the court stated that it may dismiss the action if she fails to do so.
Read the full 3-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.