Williams v. Baird

I. INTRODUCTION

Clyde A. Williams brought a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2000) against the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Sheila Baird, a DHHS employee. Baird motioned for summary judgment, arguing that she was entitled to qualified immunity from suit, but the district court denied Baird’s motion. She appealed. The Court of Appeals summarily dismissed her appeal for lack of a final, appealable order. We granted Baird’s petition for further review to address whether the denial of a claim of qualified immunity is final for the purpose of immediate…