Ex-McDonald’s VP Can Depose CEO In Disparate Treatment Case

Attorneys for a Black former McDonald’s Corp. vice president can depose McDonald’s CEO Christopher Kempczinski as part of the plaintiff’s disparate treatment suit against the fast food company, the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said, denying Kempczinski’s bid to bar the deposition.

• Kempczinski cited the “apex doctrine,” a line of cases protecting high-level executives from unnecessary and burdensome depositions under certain circumstances
• Magistrate Judge Heather K. McShain, however, said that Kempczinski, who is named as a defendant in the suit, is directly related to Michael Peaster’s allegations of discrimination and retaliation, and may have unique personal ...