Branti v. Finkel
United States Supreme Court
445 U.S. 507 (1980)
Relevant factsFree
Finkel (plaintiff), an assistant public defender appointed under a Democratic legislative majority, was terminated once control shifted to Republicans. He sued the public defender's office (defendant), and the district court found he was fired purely because of his political affiliation, enjoining the termination; the court of appeals affirmed, and the public defender's office sought Supreme Court review.
IssueFree
Whether terminating a public employee solely on the basis of political party affiliation violates the employee's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.