Employment Discrimination
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Washington v. Eagle Food Co. (C.D. Ill. 1995). The firm was counsel for plaintiffs in an employment class action alleging race discrimination in promotions. The case was settled for back pay and policy reforms within Eagle to encourage and facilitate minority hiring and advancement.
Consolidated Pre-trial Proceedings in the Airlines Stewardesses Cases, 70 C 2071 (N.D. Ill.). The firm was lead counsel in three cases which charged two airlines with sex discrimination with respect to the employment of female parents. The cases were litigated over a ten-year period and culminated in the firm obtaining approximately $6 million in settlements on behalf of the class members and full retroactive seniority to class members who desired to return to work in their former positions as flight attendants.
The case was litigated to the United States Supreme Court, where the plaintiff class prevailed in a landmark decision upholding a settlement challenge by an intervening union. Zipes v. TransWorld Airlines, 102 S.Ct. 1127 (1982).
Spadafino v. Alitalia Airlines (S.D.N.Y. 1983). The firm was counsel for plaintiffs in a class action alleging age discrimination arising out of a Reduction In Force. The case was settled for back pay and, for some class members were rehired.