Posted January 24th, 2013.
Jan 24 (Reuters) – An attorney on Thursday filed a $5 million lawsuit accusing Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr of gender and age discrimination and of wrongfully terminating her for taking leave after adopting a child.
“Levinson’s claims are completely without merit and we will vigorously defend the firm,” Susan Murley, the law firm’s co-managing partner, said in a statement.
After being promoted from associate to counsel in January 2008, her prospects diminished, despite meeting the firm’s promotion criteria, the complaint said.
In 2011, Levinson took leave to adopt a 22-month-old girl from China. The lawsuit alleges that when Levinson returned to work she received her first negative evaluation and a cut in annual bonus. Her job was ultimately terminated.
Levinson seeks back and front pay, compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorney fees.
For Levinson: David Sanford and Brandon Jamison of Sanford Heisler.
This article was originally published by Thomson Reuters News & Insight.