Sudeikis, Wilde Seek Court Confirmation of Ruling
A New York judge is asked to confirm an arbitration award against a former nanny who claimed wrongful termination.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Divorce
Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde filed a petition asking a New York judge to confirm an arbitration ruling against a former nanny, who had sued them in California in February 2023. An arbitrator denied all of her claims and awarded the couple more than $1.27 million in damages, legal fees and costs.
Why it matters
The case shows how confidentiality agreements with employment-dispute arbitration clauses can move a claim out of court and into private proceedings. It also highlights that a monetary award may be hard to collect when the losing party files for bankruptcy.
The arbitrator dismissed all eight claims and found the former nanny willfully breached her confidentiality agreement. The couple is not seeking to enforce the monetary award in this filing because of the bankruptcy.
The players
Jason Sudeikis
An American actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and Ted Lasso, and a party to the arbitration.
Olivia Wilde
An American actress and filmmaker who directed Booksmart, and a party to the arbitration alongside Sudeikis.
The details
The former nanny claimed she was wrongfully terminated after requesting a three-day medical leave, and that the couple's breakup increased her childcare duties and caused stress. The couple argued her confidentiality agreement required employment disputes to go to binding arbitration in New York, and a California judge sent the dispute there.
Timeline
February 2023: The former nanny sued the couple in California.
November 11, 2026: The couple filed a petition in New York to confirm the arbitration ruling.
Relationship Dispute Landscape
Under the Federal Arbitration Act, courts generally confirm private arbitration awards, which is the path the couple is now using in New York. Confidentiality and arbitration clauses in employment contracts increasingly send disputes like this out of public court.
Anyone who signs a confidentiality agreement with an arbitration clause may have employment disputes decided privately rather than in court. A monetary award can still be difficult to collect if the other party files for bankruptcy.
The takeaway
Read employment and confidentiality agreements closely before signing, since an arbitration clause can decide where and how a later dispute is resolved.
Further reading
For related coverage of how separations play out legally, see Divorce.
