Myers Bigel Escapes Equity Partner’s Race, Sex Bias Suit

A former equity partner at Myers Bigel PA can’t pursue her lawsuit alleging race and gender discrimination because she wasn’t an “employee” of the law firm for purposes of Title VII, the Fourth Circuit said Tuesday.

Shawna Lemon practiced patent law at Myers Bigel, rising to become a shareholding partner and equal owner of the firm. Lemon says her relationships with several other partners soured following certain statements she made to an outside attorney who was investigating gender discrimination at the firm.

Lemon submitted a request for short-term leave which the board of directors denied. Lemon claims such requests were ...