Jury Verdict in Significant Sex Discrimination Case

Following an eight-week jury trial of a high-stakes glass ceiling sex discrimination case, the jury returned a complete defense verdict in favor of Payne & Fears LLP’s client, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (“TAIS”).  The plaintiff, a former national sales vice president, alleged that TAIS, a maker of sophisticated laptop computers, failed to promote her to the highest executive levels of the company due to her sex. In addition, the plaintiff pointed to an alleged under-representation of women at the top executive level as evidence of a general atmosphere of discrimination. At trial, Payne & Fears LLP litigators demonstrated that various promotional decisions and reorganizations surrounding the plaintiff were necessary adaptations to a volatile technology industry. Payne & Fears LLP also established that TAIS, in the face of a declining workforce, had made good faith efforts to increase representation of women in upper management.  James L. Payne and Laura Fleming handled the jury trial.