This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Carson (P) was a class of present and former black seasonal employees that alleged that American Brands (D) had discriminated against them in hiring and promotion. The parties negotiated a settlement and moved the court to approve it. D would have been required to give P hiring and seniority preferences and to fill one-third of supervisory positions with qualified blacks. D expressly denied any violation of equal employment law. The court denied the settlement as preferential treatment according to race was a violation of Title VII. The court of appeals dismissed an appeal for want of jurisdiction; the consent decree was neither a collateral order (1291) nor an interlocutory order refusing an injunction (1292(a)(1)). The Supreme Court granted certiorari.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.