A legal battle is brewing between global law firm DLA Piper and former senior associate Anisha Mehta over claims of pregnancy discrimination. Mehta, who was six months pregnant when she was terminated, alleges she was fired shortly after requesting maternity leave. DLA Piper counters that her dismissal was due to inadequate performance for her level.
The firm is also striving to keep past pregnancy discrimination complaints confidential. Mehta’s legal team, from Wigdor, rejected the firm’s offer to provide affidavits instead of full records, accusing DLA Piper of using evidentiary rules as a shield.
A U.S. magistrate judge has ordered DLA Piper to disclose records related to two other lawyers who have made similar complaints since 2016. DLA Piper argues these cases are irrelevant, pointing out that the individuals had already been fired and did not file formal complaints or lawsuits.
Mehta’s attorneys argue that the firm shouldn’t be allowed to present a sanitized version of past claims. The legal skirmish continues, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The case is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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