Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Jones Day Gets Yet Another Plaintiff
The case against Jones Day picks up a Facebook attorney as a plaintiff.
Another former Jones Day associate, Jessica Jardine Wilkes, has joined the gender discrimination lawsuit against the firm, bringing the number of plaintiffs in the case to seven. The case was brought by former associates, alleging that the firm’s notorious “black box” compensation system is used to pay women less than men at the firm, and further alleges there’s a “fraternity culture” at the firm. Initially, the case had six plaintiffs, two named — Nilab Rahyar Tolton and Andrea Mazingo — and four anonymous; Wilkes joins as the third plaintiff to be named in the lawsuit.
As reported by Law.com, the amended complaint adding Wilkes was anticipated by Jones Day, who said at a case hearing the plaintiffs may have additional women come forward:
Jones Day labor and employment partner Terri Chase indicated at a hearing in the case last month that the plaintiffs may be preparing to amend their complaint with additional women accusers. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss subsequently asked for a joint status report by June 19 that would explain whether Sanford Heisler intended to add additional accusers or claims. The firm filed documents Sunday showing that Wilkes had agreed to become a named plaintiff.
Wilkes was an associate at Jones Day from October 2014 to September 2016. According to her LinkedIn profile, she departed the firm to work as corporate counsel at Symantec. Wilkes currently works in-house at Facebook.
The lawyers from both sides in the case are currently tussling over whether the four Jane Doe plaintiffs should be able to continue anonymously. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have until June 12 to submit declarations supporting the Jane Doe plaintiffs’ request to continue without being identified.
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).
