K&L Gates Accused of Systemic Race Bias by Black Former Partner

K&L Gates LLP is permeated with systemic discrimination against Black lawyers despite marketing itself as a diversity leader through its support for minority-focused bar organizations, a Black former partner in New York charges in a new lawsuit.

Black lawyers instead face dim career opportunities at the 1,800-plus lawyer global firm, as well as limited chances for training and development, Willie E. Dennis says in a complaint filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan. They also are denied equal access to substantive, high-profile legal work and face substantial barriers to the partner ranks, he says.

In his time at K&L, Dennis ...