Decision in Favor of Bennett Bigelow & Leedom Client in Race Discrimination Case
On December 11, 2007, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik rejected claims of race discrimination and retaliation against Bennett Bigelow & Leedom's clients. The decision [Memorandum Decision MM741028.PDF] came after a two week trial, and extensive discovery. The plaintiff, a former high level manager at an engineering research facility, claimed that her supervisor and co-workers created a racially hostile environment, subjected her to discriminatory discipline, and retaliated against her when she complained. The judge strongly rejected each of these arguments, finding that, while plaintiff's external work performance was excellent, the work place problems of which plaintiff complained were the product of her own inappropriate behavior towards staff and colleagues. Mike Madden and Marie Westermeier represented BB&L's clients. Cases like this are rarely tried to a successful result for employers. To do so not only requires a high level of litigation skills; it also requires careful evaluation of the case at every stage from its inception. For this reason, employers are well-advised to involve counsel from the moment a claim of discrimination or retaliation is made.