Former lawyer sues BigLaw for disability discrimination
Law Firms
Former counsel sues BigLaw firm for alleged disability discrimination
August 8, 2024, 11:48 am CDT
A former counsel at Mayer Brown who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022 has filed a disability bias lawsuit against the law firm. (Image from Shutterstock)
A former counsel at Mayer Brown who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022 has filed a disability bias lawsuit against the law firm.
The suit, filed by June Liang, alleges that Mayer Brown at first denied her accommodation request, marginalized her, withheld her bonus and substantially curbed her billable hours despite her requests for more work.
Liang said she experienced disability bias and retaliation in violation of human rights laws in the city and state of New York, according to her Aug. 5 suit filed in New York state court.
In a statement, Mayer Brown said it “fully denies Ms. Liang’s allegations and intends to defend itself vigorously.”
Liang started working at Mayer Brown in November 2021. Mayer Brown said in a statement that it “fully denies Ms. Liang’s allegations and intends to defend itself vigorously.”
Liang started working at Mayer Brown in November 2021. After her cancer diagnosis, she took a leave of absence to undergo surgery and radiation. The suit alleges that Liang requested Mayer Brown move her office closer to the secretary in order to reduce physical exertion. Mayer Brown, according to the suit, denied Liang’s request for accommodation but promised a wellness area. According to the lawsuit, the key to the wellness area was on a separate floor, so she couldn’t limit her physical exertion. Mayer Brown granted Liang’s accommodation request a few days later.
* In February and March of 2023, Liang had two medical episodes. The second one required Liang to be hospitalized. The suit claims that no one tried to ensure Liang’s safety on her way to the hospital, and the office leader was furious when she heard the news. Liang allegedly submitted a medical form in April 2023. Two staff members in May 2023 allegedly asked Liang to revise it to indicate that she could not work due to “cognitive issues” (i.e. lack of sound judgment due to pain or medication, inability of reading or writing, etc.). Liang was not given any billable tasks in summer 2023. However, she received “praise” and “compliments” for the work she was assigned. According to the lawsuit, Liang continued to be marginalized despite repeated requests for billable tasks over the next few months. The next day, Liang’s lawyer told the firm that “she had been subjected to discrimination and retaliation.”
* In May 2024, Mayer Brown fired one of the HR staff members who told Liang to claim that she was suffering from cognitive issues.
* In June 2024, Liang asked about another leave of absence and was told five days later that she would be fired. Her last employment date was 5 months before her 401(k). benefit would have vested.
