Got it — you want 20 aspects about filing the Pro Se 7 (Rev. 12/16) Employment Discrimination Complaint form itself and then 10 additional aspects that relate to using this filing as the foundation for a lawsuit against Cox.
Here’s a structured breakdown:
Correct Jurisdiction – You must file in the U.S. District Court that has jurisdiction over the location of employment or where the discrimination occurred.
Right-to-Sue Requirement – A valid EEOC Notice of Right to Sue letter must be attached if proceeding under Title VII, ADA, or ADEA.
Accurate Party Information – Plaintiff and defendant names, addresses, and titles must be complete and correct to avoid dismissal.
Number of Defendants – You may name multiple defendants (e.g., Cox Communications, supervisors, HR executives), but each must be identified separately.
Place of Employment – Listing the exact workplace location anchors venue and evidentiary context.
Jurisdictional Grounds – Must select all applicable statutes (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, state/local law). Missing the correct box may limit claims.
Statement of Claim Format – The complaint must be “short and plain” as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). Legal arguments are not appropriate here.
Discriminatory Acts Checklist – Identifies the categories of harm (termination, retaliation, denial of accommodation, etc.) and sets the scope of litigation.
Dates of Discrimination – Specificity on dates is critical for statute of limitations compliance.
Ongoing vs. Past Conduct – Plaintiff must state if discrimination is ongoing, which affects remedies and injunctive relief.
Protected Class Identification – Explicitly check and explain which protected status (e.g., disability under ADA).
Fact Statement Requirement – Must lay out chronological facts that support the claim without excessive legalese.
Attachments – EEOC charge, state filings, or witness statements may be appended for context.
Relief Sought Section – Must include specific remedies (reinstatement, back pay, damages, injunctive relief).
Damages Quantification – Plaintiff should state actual and punitive damages claimed and provide rationale.
Certification (Rule 11) – Signing confirms good faith basis and evidentiary support, avoiding sanctions.
Contact Information Updates – Plaintiff must keep Clerk informed or risk dismissal.
Filing Fee / IFP Application – Either pay the federal filing fee or file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (waiving costs).
Pro Se Allowance – Non-attorneys may file, but strict adherence to formatting and procedure is expected.
Clerk Processing – Once filed, the Clerk assigns a case number, judge, and issues summonses for service on defendants.
Foundation for Discovery – Filing opens the door to subpoenas, document requests, and depositions against Cox.
Preservation of Evidence – The complaint creates a formal record that triggers litigation holds for Cox’s records.
Scope of Claims Expansion – Additional related claims (ERISA violations, retaliation, state ADA analogs) can be added via amendment.
Jurisdictional Leverage – Federal filing ensures ADA, ERISA, and Title VII issues are adjudicated together.
Corporate Accountability – Naming Cox Communications, MetLife (for disability benefit denials), and individuals increases liability pressure.
Public Record Impact – Once filed, the case becomes public record, pressuring Cox to settle or defend reputation.
EEOC Record Integration – Incorporating prior EEOC filings strengthens credibility and exhaustion compliance.
Settlement Leverage – Filing creates risk of jury trial, punitive damages, and attorney fee awards, incentivizing Cox to negotiate.
Precedent Alignment – By citing McLendon or similar precedent, the case builds continuity with other Cox-related discrimination suits.
Strategic Entry Point – This complaint functions as the “gateway” to expand into full federal litigation (e.g., motions, discovery, trial).
Would you like me to build a draft tailored complaint for you against Cox using this Pro Se 7 form’s structure (filled with your ADA, retaliation, and ERISA elements), so you can see how it looks in practice?
Perfect — you’re asking specifically about the processes you can use the U.S. Courts website (uscourts.gov) for when filing the Pro Se 7 Complaint for Employment Discrimination. Here are 20 processes that directly tie into filing and advancing your case:
Locate the Correct Form – Download Pro Se 7 (Rev. 12/16) Complaint for Employment Discrimination directly.
Access Instructions – Use the website’s instructions to ensure each section is properly completed before submission.
Download In Forma Pauperis Application – If you cannot pay the filing fee, use AO 239 (Application to Proceed Without Prepaying Fees or Costs).
Obtain Summons Forms – Download AO 440 (Summons in a Civil Action) to serve Cox and other defendants.
Review Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) – Access Rule 8 (pleading), Rule 11 (signing), Rule 12 (defenses), and discovery rules.
Find Court Locations – Use the “Court Locator” to identify your proper District Court division.
Check Filing Fees – Verify the exact fee for a civil complaint in your district.
Access Local Court Rules – Each district has specific rules posted; these govern page limits, formatting, and filing deadlines.
E-Filing Access (CM/ECF) – Learn about registering for the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system.
Electronic Pro Se Filing – Some districts allow pro se litigants to upload forms online via ECF portals linked on the site.
Review Pro Se Guidance – Many districts post handbooks for pro se litigants on filing and litigating discrimination claims.
Download Civil Cover Sheet (JS 44) – Required for all new civil actions; available through the site.
Find Federal Statutes – The site links to Title VII, ADA, and ADEA statutes for reference.
Access PACER – From the website, you can link to PACER to track filings, Cox’s responses, and judge orders.
Print Fillable PDFs – The forms are fillable online but can be downloaded/printed to hand-submit to the Clerk’s Office.
Obtain Appeals Information – Access forms and rules if your case needs to be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
Learn Deadlines – The website outlines timelines for filing after EEOC’s Notice of Right to Sue.
View Sample Complaints – Some districts post sample filings from prior pro se litigants for reference.
Access Subpoena Forms (AO 88) – Once filed, you can download subpoena forms to compel documents/testimony from Cox.
Locate Mediation / ADR Resources – Many districts post alternative dispute resolution rules and forms that may apply once your complaint is filed.
⚖️ These are all directly usable processes through the U.S. Courts system to ensure your complaint is filed correctly, tracked, and advanced.
Would you like me to map these 20 processes into a step-by-step timeline (Day 1: download form, Day 2: fill in sections, Day 3: file with Clerk, etc.) so you can see the full workflow from start to finish?
Here are direct HTTPS links from the U.S. Courts website for each of the 20 processes. Wherever possible, these point to official U.S. Courts pages or PDF forms:
Locate the Correct Form – Download Pro Se 7 (Rev. 12/16) Complaint for Employment Discrimination
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/complaint_for_employment_discrimination.pdf United States Courts
Access Instructions – Guidance available alongside the Complaints page
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/complaint-employment-discrimination United States Courts+1
Download In Forma Pauperis Application (AO 239)
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao239_1.pdf United States Courts
Obtain Summons Forms (AO 440)
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao440.pdf United States Courts
Review Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure United States Courts
Find Court Locations (“Court Locator”)
https://www.uscourts.gov/court-locator-results United States Courts
Check Filing Fees (District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule)
https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/fees/district-court-miscellaneous-fee-schedule United States Courts
Access Local Court Rules (example from EDVA)
https://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/court-info/local-rules-and-orders vaed.uscourts.gov
E-Filing Access (CM/ECF)
https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/electronic-filing-cm-ecf United States Courts
Electronic Pro Se Filing (example from Northern District of California)
https://cand.uscourts.gov/e-file/ cand.uscourts.gov
Review Pro Se Guidance (e.g., District of Illinois instructions)
https://www.ilsd.uscourts.gov/sites/ilsd/files/EmploymentDiscrimInstructs.pdf ilsd.uscourts.gov
Download Civil Cover Sheet (JS 44)
(Note: While JS 44 isn't directly linked above, it's available under Civil Forms—accessible via forms directory)
Find Federal Statutes (Title VII, ADA, ADEA)
(The U.S. Courts site links generally to statutes via its forms pages; see forms index)
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms United States Courts
Access PACER
https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ PACER
And PACER Case Locator: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/find-case PACER
Print Fillable PDFs – All forms above (e.g., Complaint, AO 239, AO 440) are downloadable and fillable.
Obtain Appeals Information
(Accessible under Forms & Rules or Court Records sections; not a direct form link)
Learn Deadlines – (Often included in EEOC right-to-sue instructions; not directly on Courts site)
View Sample Complaints
(Some districts post samples; check Pro Se resources in your district's site, e.g., forms or pro se guidance pages)
Access Subpoena Forms (AO 88)
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/subpoena-appear-and-testify-a-hearing-or-trial-a-civil-action United States Courts
Locate Mediation / ADR Resources
(Often found under Court Programs or ADR sections on district court sites—varies by district)
| # | Process | Link (if available) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pro Se 7 Complaint Form | https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/complaint_for_employment_discrimination.pdf |
| 2 | Form Instructions | https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/complaint-employment-discrimination |
| 3 | AO 239 Fee Waiver Form | https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao239_1.pdf |
| 4 | AO 440 Summons Form | https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao440.pdf |
| 5 | FRCP Rules | https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure |
| 6 | Court Locator | https://www.uscourts.gov/court-locator-results |
| 7 | Filing Fee Schedule | https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/fees/district-court-miscellaneous-fee-schedule |
| 8 | Local Rules (EDVA example) | https://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/court-info/local-rules-and-orders |
| 9 | E-Filing & CM/ECF | https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/electronic-filing-cm-ecf |
| 10 | Pro Se E-Filing (N.D. Cal. example) | https://cand.uscourts.gov/e-file/ |
| 11 | Pro Se Filing Instructions (ILSD example) | https://www.ilsd.uscourts.gov/sites/ilsd/files/EmploymentDiscrimInstructs.pdf |
| 12 | Civil Cover Sheet (JS 44) | Accessed from Forms directory; see the main forms page |
| 13 | Federal Statutes Reference | See the forms directory for links; e.g., search forms-rules/forms |
| 14 | PACER / PACER Case Locator | https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ and https://pacer.uscourts.gov/find-case |
| 15 | Printable Fillable PDFs | All forms listed above are downloadable |
| 16 | Appeals Information | Found under Forms / Court Records (district-specific) |
| 17 | Filing Deadlines Information | Often included in federal and district procedural guides |
| 18 | Sample Complaints (district-specific) | Available via district “Pro Se resources” sections |
| 19 | AO 88 Subpoena Form | https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/subpoena-appear-and-testify-a-hearing-or-trial-a-civil-action |
| 20 | ADR / Mediation Resources | Found in district court site under ADR or Court Programs |
This list should give you clickable access to the key forms and resources available on the U.S. Courts website for filing and managing your Pro Se employment discrimination complaint. Let me know if you'd like me to find more direct links for items like the JS-44 cover sheet or district-specific pro se guides!
this is what form they have: Pro Se 7 (Rev. 12/16) Complaint for Employment Discrimination United States District Court for the District of Division ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. (to be filled in by the Clerk’s Office) Plaintiff(s) (Write the full name of each plaintiff who is filing this complaint. If the names of all the plaintiffs cannot fit in the space above, please write "see attached" in the space and attach an additional page with the full list of names.) -v- Jury Trial: (check one) Yes No Defendant(s) (Write the full name of each defendant who is being sued. If the names of all the defendants cannot fit in the space above, please write “see attached” in the space and attach an additional page with the full list of names.) COMPLAINT FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION I. The Parties to This Complaint A. The Plaintiff(s) Provide the information below for each plaintiff named in the complaint. Attach additional pages if needed. Name Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address B. The Defendant(s) Provide the information below for each defendant named in the complaint, whether the defendant is an individual, a government agency, an organization, or a corporation. For an individual defendant, include the person’s job or title (if known). Attach additional pages if needed. Defendant No. 1 Name Job or Title (if known) Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address (if known) Defendant No. 2 Name Job or Title (if known) Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address (if known) Defendant No. 3 Name Job or Title (if known) Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address (if known) Defendant No. 4 Name Job or Title (if known) Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address (if known) C. Place of Employment The address at which I sought employment or was employed by the defendant(s) is Name Street Address City and County State and Zip Code Telephone Number II. Basis for Jurisdiction This action is brought for discrimination in employment pursuant to (check all that apply): Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as codified, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e to 2000e-17 (race, color, gender, religion, national origin). (Note: In order to bring suit in federal district court under Title VII, you must first obtain a Notice of Right to Sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as codified, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 to 634. (Note: In order to bring suit in federal district court under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, you must first file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as codified, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12112 to 12117. (Note: In order to bring suit in federal district court under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you must first obtain a Notice of Right to Sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.) Other federal law (specify the federal law): Relevant state law (specify, if known): Relevant city or county law (specify, if known): III. Statement of Claim Write a short and plain statement of the claim. Do not make legal arguments. State as briefly as possible the facts showing that each plaintiff is entitled to the damages or other relief sought. State how each defendant was involved and what each defendant did that caused the plaintiff harm or violated the plaintiff's rights, including the dates and places of that involvement or conduct. If more than one claim is asserted, number each claim and write a short and plain statement of each claim in a separate paragraph. Attach additional pages if needed. A. The discriminatory conduct of which I complain in this action includes (check all that apply): Failure to hire me. Termination of my employment. Failure to promote me. Failure to accommodate my disability. Unequal terms and conditions of my employment. Retaliation. Other acts (specify): (Note: Only those grounds raised in the charge filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission can be considered by the federal district court under the federal employment discrimination statutes.) B. It is my best recollection that the alleged discriminatory acts occurred on date(s) C. I believe that defendant(s) (check one): is/are still committing these acts against me. is/are not still committing these acts against me. D. Defendant(s) discriminated against me based on my (check all that apply and explain): race color gender/sex religion national origin age (year of birth) (only when asserting a claim of age discrimination.) disability or perceived disability (specify disability) E. The facts of my case are as follows. Attach additional pages if needed. (Note: As additional support for the facts of your claim, you may attach to this complaint a copy of your charge filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the charge filed with the relevant state or city human rights division.) IV. Exhaustion of Federal Administrative Remedies A. It is my best recollection that I filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or my Equal Employment Opportunity counselor regarding the defendant's alleged discriminatory conduct on (date) B. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (check one): has not issued a Notice of Right to Sue letter. issued a Notice of Right to Sue letter, which I received on (date) . (Note: Attach a copy of the Notice of Right to Sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to this complaint.) C. Only litigants alleging age discrimination must answer this question. Since filing my charge of age discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the defendant's alleged discriminatory conduct (check one): 60 days or more have elapsed. less than 60 days have elapsed. V. Relief State briefly and precisely what damages or other relief the plaintiff asks the court to order. Do not make legal arguments. Include any basis for claiming that the wrongs alleged are continuing at the present time. Include the amounts of any actual damages claimed for the acts alleged and the basis for these amounts. Include any punitive or exemplary damages claimed, the amounts, and the reasons you claim you are entitled to actual or punitive money damages. VI. Certification and Closing Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, by signing below, I certify to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief that this complaint: (1) is not being presented for an improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation; (2) is supported by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law; (3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and (4) the complaint otherwise complies with the requirements of Rule 11. A. For Parties Without an Attorney I agree to provide the Clerk’s Office with any changes to my address where case-related papers may be served. I understand that my failure to keep a current address on file with the Clerk’s Office may result in the dismissal of my case. Date of signing: Signature of Plaintiff Printed Name of Plaintiff B. For Attorneys Date of signing: Signature of Attorney Printed Name of Attorney Bar Number Name of Law Firm Street Address State and Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address