Law Firm Resolved Discrimination Lawsuit
McDermott Will & Emery and a former associate have reached a resolution to end federal litigation.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Remote Work
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McDermott Will & Emery has resolved a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by former associate Ashley Ogedegbe. The parties filed for a joint dismissal of the case in federal court.
Why it matters
The case involved claims regarding workplace conduct and internal investigations at a major law firm. The resolution marks the conclusion of a legal dispute that followed Ogedegbe's termination from the firm.
The firm completed a merger with Schulte Roth & Zabel in July 2025, the same month the lawsuit was initiated. Ogedegbe had been employed at the firm since 2022 before being terminated in March 2025.
The players
McDermott Will & Emery
This international law firm provides legal services to corporations and private clients across various sectors.
Ashley Ogedegbe
She is a former associate of McDermott Will & Emery who initiated the discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.
Schulte Roth & Zabel
This law firm specializes in financial services, investment management, and private equity and completed a merger with McDermott Will & Emery in 2025.
The details
While the firm admitted that phrases such as 'white pride' and 'white power' were displayed at an associate retreat, it maintained a denial of any wrongdoing. McDermott Will & Emery conducted an internal investigation into the comments prior to the legal resolution.
Timeline
Ogedegbe was hired by the firm in 2022.
The firm terminated Ogedegbe in March 2025.
Ogedegbe filed the lawsuit in July 2025.
The parties filed for dismissal in federal court on September 24, 2026.
The resolution was publicly announced on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
Large-scale law firm mergers continue to reshape the legal industry by consolidating talent and resources. This resolution concludes a public dispute that occurred during a significant period of corporate expansion for the firm.
This resolution closes a legal chapter for the firm, which may influence internal policies regarding workplace conduct. Clients and associates should monitor future updates on firm governance and culture initiatives.
The takeaway
The end of this litigation demonstrates how firms navigate sensitive allegations while managing large-scale business integrations. Organizations often resolve such disputes through confidential settlements to mitigate reputational risk after internal investigations.
Further reading
Learn more about workplace policy developments in Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reuters.
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