Handling a Wrongful Termination Case Pro Se
When 39-year-old Jenna Lee opened the envelope from the EEOC, her heart pounded. The letter confirmed what she feared — her former employer had likely violated her rights, and now she had the green light to sue. Jenna had filed a charge of discrimination after being fired for reporting harassment. Now, with the EEOC’s “right to sue” letter in hand, she had 90 days to act.
She couldn’t afford a lawyer, but she wasn’t about to give up. Using Courtroom5, she took her case to federal court — and fought to hold her former employer accountable.
The Background
Jenna had worked as a customer support manager for four years. When she reported her supervisor’s repeated inappropriate comments to HR, things changed quickly. Her schedule was cut, she was excluded from meetings, and eventually, she was fired for “poor performance” — with no documentation to support it.
She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging retaliation and sex-based discrimination. After the investigation, the EEOC issued a right to sue letter. Jenna had 90 days to file a lawsuit in federal court.
Filing Her Case With Courtroom5
Jenna signed up for the Pro Se Litigator Plan and used Courtroom5’s Personal Practice of Law — a 5-step AI-guided process that walked her through each step of litigation.
Step 1: Choosing the Procedure
Courtroom5 helped her select the right procedure: a civil complaint for wrongful termination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Step 2: Reviewing the Rules
Courtroom5 guided Jenna through the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and local court rules. She learned how to format her complaint, meet filing deadlines, and serve the employer properly.
Step 3: Fact Pattern Analysis
Using Courtroom5’s tools, Jenna detailed her story:
- She filed a harassment report.
- Her employer took adverse actions soon after.
- The termination came without warning or cause.
- The EEOC letter gave her the right to sue.
She matched these facts to each element of a retaliation claim.
Step 4: Legal Research
With Courtroom5’s help, Jenna found cases involving retaliation and wrongful termination under Title VII. The AI summarized the case law, helping her cite relevant legal precedents in her complaint.
Step 5: Document Generation
Jenna used Courtroom5 to generate her federal civil complaint, including:
- Jurisdiction and venue
- Factual allegations
- Claims under Title VII
- Request for damages and relief
She followed Courtroom5’s step-by-step guide to file the complaint with the federal court and serve it on her employer.
Responding to Defense Tactics
The employer’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Jenna’s complaint was vague. Courtroom5 helped her:
- Summarize the motion in plain English
- Choose the procedure “oppose motion to dismiss”
- Update her fact pattern
- Draft an opposition brief citing case law and clarifying her claims
The court denied the motion and allowed the case to proceed.
Discovery and Depositions
Courtroom5 guided Jenna through:
- Writing interrogatories to identify key witnesses
- Submitting requests for production of emails and performance records
- Preparing for and conducting a deposition of her former supervisor
She kept her trial notebook updated with facts and evidence — all organized by Courtroom5.
A Fair Settlement
Before trial, the employer offered to settle. Jenna used her documentation to negotiate from a position of strength. She accepted a settlement that included back pay, emotional damages, and a non-disparagement clause.
What Jenna Learned
Jenna went from overwhelmed to empowered. With Courtroom5, she learned to:
- Understand federal court procedures
- Analyze and organize her case
- Conduct legal research
- Draft and file effective court documents
- Negotiate a strong settlement
The Personal Practice of Law helped her pursue justice on her own terms.
You Can Do It Too
If you’ve been wrongfully fired and received a right to sue letter, don’t let cost stop you. Courtroom5 helps you represent yourself in federal court and fight for what’s right.
Start your Personal Practice of Law today. When the system tries to silence you, let the law speak for you.