Ayala v. Sephora

Background

Maria J. Ayala filed this case without a lawyer, alleging that Sephora and Jennifer Rivera discriminated against her because of her disability. She invoked the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law.

The court had granted Ayala permission to proceed without paying filing fees. In such cases, the court and the U.S. Marshals Service are responsible for serving the defendants with the lawsuit. The court had issued service orders, but the Marshals Service could not complete service at 2013 Broadway in New York, New York, the store address where Ayala had been employed. Ayala later told the court that she still wanted to litigate the case.

Court’s Analysis

The court explained that a person proceeding without a lawyer and without paying filing fees may rely on the court and the Marshals Service to complete service. The court also stated that such a litigant is entitled to help identifying and serving a defendant. It found that Ayala’s complaint provided enough information for Sephora to identify the defendants and provide service addresses for Sephora and Rivera.

Ruling

Judge John G. Koeltl ordered Sephora to provide the identifying information and service addresses to Ayala and the court within 60 days of the order. After receiving the information, the court said it would issue a new service order. The clerk was directed to mail the order by certified mail to Sephora’s New York Corporate Office and to mail a copy to Ayala. The opinion addressed service of the lawsuit and did not decide the underlying disability-discrimination claims.