The Biglaw firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath has been hit with a racial discrimination case. Syneetra Hill, an African-American legal assistant in their Princeton office, alleges she was paid less than her colleagues due to her race and was subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliation. As reported by the New Jersey Law Journal, Hill’s case was brought under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination and the state’s equal pay act.
The allegations in the lawsuit are jaw-dropping. Hill alleges the firm “has maintained a corporate culture that is hostile to African-Americans,” and details the following alleged examples to make that point:
- A former, unnamed supervising attorney was allegedly allowed to keep a collection of Confederate memorabilia throughout their office.
- The lawsuit claims Marsha Beidler, of counsel in the firm’s trusts and estates practice for whom Hill worked, referred to Hill as “our slave” in front of a client. The complaint says Beidler tried to save face by saying Hilled worked like a slave.
- Beidler allegedly told Hill to “read a good book” about how segregation was “good for blacks because at least they could go to their own colleges.”
- After seeing a picture of Hill’s infant son, Beidler allegedly said “he should be ready to get a basketball in his hands.”
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When Hill complained about the alleged inappropriate behavior, the lawsuit alleges that while the firm’s investigation corroborated her statements, they also found Beidler didn’t mean any harm by her statements. According to the lawsuit, Hill was told by Drinker Biddle that Beidler’s office would be moved and she would undergo sensitivity training. However, the complaint also alleges Hill, not Beidler, was forced to move locations and Beidler never completed any sensitivity training.
Hill also claims that after she complained to the firm about the alleged discriminatory behavior, she received smaller raises and bonuses.
The firm has not made a statement about the case.
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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).