Troutman Pepper Locke associate files discrimination lawsuit against firm
An associate with Troutman Pepper Locke has sued the law firm, alleging that it discriminated against him and derailed his career after he had a heart attack and had to take time off, and then it retaliated against him after he later raised questions about billing practices by his supervising partners. (Photo by designer491/Getty Images)
An associate with Troutman Pepper Locke has sued the law firm, alleging that it discriminated against him and derailed his career after he had a heart attack and had to take time off, and then it retaliated against him after he later raised questions about billing practices by his supervising partners.
Law.com reported that in a complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, litigation associate Matthew Cali alleged that he had been on a path to partnership before suffering a “widow-maker” heart attack in November 2023.
After returning to work, he claimed that he was given administrative work, denied credit and kept out of client pitches in an effort to force him out. He also claimed that he was denied a bonus in 2024, despite meeting his billable hours requirements and retaliated against for accusing his then-supervising partners of participating in alleged fraudulent billing.
According to Law.com, the complaint accused the firm of violating the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as New Jersey laws designed to protect against discrimination and retaliation. Cali, who is still employed at the firm, according to Law.com, was offered a severance package in May.
Troutman Pepper Locke denied the allegations in a statement to Law.com and promised to “vigorously defend against the claims.”
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