Chicago’s second biggest law firm paid $27.5 million on Saturday to 32 past and present lawyers in order to settle an age-related discrimination suit.
The case was brought against Sidley Austin in 2005 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which alleged that the lawyers were terminated or demoted to make room for younger employees to fill their positions.
Sidley claims the settlement was to put the issue behind the company and not an admission of guilt.
In a press release issued by the firm, Sidley announced 10 of the lawyers still work for the company, albeit in a reduced manner.
The firm believed that because the 32 employees were partners, they were no longer protected under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prevents employment discrimination against people 40 and over.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
…and I thought Boston Legal was pure fiction. Discrimination must have no boundaries and it is good that these experienced and well qualified lawyers won their case. I am writing from New Zealand/Aotearoa, so am unsure as to who Sidley Austin, the firm is? But obviously the lesson from this litigation has been very costly.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
So they admit they discriminated based on age but claim it’s OK because the employees were partners? Or they deny they discriminated based on age period (but also aver that partners have no claims)?
That sounds like a lot of money at first but that’s probably not even a year’s salary for each of the 32 partners. I mean, it is Sidley Austin.