Rufus is a Partner with more than 20 years of experience. Rufus focuses primarily on civil rights and employment defense, including claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. He has handled more than 500 cases in federal court, and has practiced before numerous government agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Rufus is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District and Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He has argued before the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, where he has successfully obtained precedential decisions in the area of civil rights litigation and employment law.
Experience
- Shosted v. City of Allentown, et al., E.D. Pa.
Obtained a defense verdict at trial in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case. - Morgan v. Covington Township, M.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for a Rule 50 judgment as a matter of law during trial in an employment claim for First Amendment retaliation case and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit. - Vazquez v. City of Allentown, E.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for a Rule 50 judgment as a matter of law during trial in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit. - Mazzarella v. Brady, et al., E.D. Pa.
Obtained a defense verdict at trial in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case. - Boyer v. Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 5, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Obtained a defense verdict at trial in a claim for breach of duty of fair representation against the FOP - Franklin v. East Falls Community Counsel, et al. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Successfully argued for a directed verdict in a defamation and negligence case against a neighborhood newspaper - A.J. v. Mastery Charter Schools, E.D. Pa.
Obtained summary judgment on claims under Title XI and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit - Litman v. Towamencin Township, et al., E.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) on claims under the Fair Housing Act and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit - Tulio v. Lansdale Borough, E.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for summary judgment in a due process claim relating to collection of utility fees and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit - Sassamansville Fire Company No. 1 v. New Hanover Township, E.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) on claims of equal protection and due process and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit - Associated Builders and Contractors, Eastern Pa. Chapter v. Plymouth Township, E.D. Pa.
Successfully argued for dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) on claims of equal protection and due process relating to a municipal ordinance establishing standards for contractors on public works projects and defended the judgment on appeal to the Third Circuit
Practices
Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Education
- Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2003
- Drexel University, B.S., 1999
