If you’re headed to a jury trial against a sympathy-garnering plaintiff, you’d better bring your A game. DLA Piper rose to the occasion! They’ve been fighting a discrimination suit from former employee Anisha Mehta for over a year, alleging that she was fired because she took parental leave. The firm justified the firing by characterizing her work product as “sloppy” and “catastrophic”; Mehta answered by saying the firm’s words didn’t match up with their actions — she received positive work reviews, a bonus, and was placed on an important matter. After hearing the evidence, the jury came out in DLA’s favor. The New York Law Journal has coverage:
A Manhattan federal jury on Monday found that DLA Piper did not discriminate against a pregnant ex-associate who claimed she’d been fired for requesting maternity leave.
The jury found that Anisha Mehta failed to prove that the firm was liable for discrimination under the New York City Human Rights Law. The panel also said the firm was not liable for interfering with Mehta’s Family and Medical Leave Act rights and had not committed retaliation.
…
In opening statements, [DLA partner Brett] Ingerman said Mehta had made numerous mistakes while at the firm, including beginning a trademark infringement action in Singapore when it was supposed to be filed in Switzerland.
You win some, you lose some. Even if there was some incongruity between the firm’s words and their actions, winning a discrimination suit against an at-will employer is usually an uphill battle.
Partner and lead attorney on the case, Brett Ingerman, commented on the verdict: “I was proud to represent the law firm I’ve called home for the last 32 years. DLA Piper and its lawyers are committed to fostering an environment that promotes the family journey. I believe the jury saw and understood that, and we are grateful for their verdict.”
The jury might have bought DLA’s family fostering in the courtroom, but I’m sure the parents who had their parental leave cut by six weeks have some choice words. I guess the real takeaway from this is that it isn’t enough to just mind your Ps and Qs — you also have to mind your Singapores and Switzerlands.
DLA Piper Did Not Discriminate Against Pregnant Associate, Jury Finds [New York Law Journal]
Earlier: DLA Piper Headed To Trial Over Firing Of Mom-To-Be
Major Biglaw Firm Slashes Parental Leave
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s . He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boat builder who is learning to swim and is interested in rhetoric, Spinozists and humor. Getting back in to cycling wouldn’t hurt either. You can reach him by email at christopherrashadwilliams@gmail.com and by Tweet/Bluesky at @WritesForRent.
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