What is the burden of proving that an employer discriminated against a plaintiff in a workplace discrimination case?

Courts employ a burden-shifting analysis for Title VII disparate treatment claims. The plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination. If the plaintiff succeeds in doing so, the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its allegedly discriminatory conduct. If the defendant provides such a reason, the burden shifts back to the plaintiff to show that the employer's reason is a pretext for discrimination. Vasquez v. County of L.A., 349 F. 3d 634, 640 (9th Cir. 2004).