In a significant development, Kaloma Cardwell – formerly a Davis Polk associate who has leveled charges of racial discrimination and retaliation against the firm – has agreed to drop a Davis Polk partner from the defendant list in her ongoing lawsuit. The trial however continues, with Davis Polk, a former managing partner along with the ex-M&A practice group leader, bearing the brunt of Cardwell’s allegations.
Legal circles are closely watching the proceedings; after all, it’s not every day that an associate takes on one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. This week, both sides have presented gripping testimonies and evidences in the packed courtroom as the trial nears its end.
Cardwell’s defence has leveraged records of internal communications, emails and performance evaluations to lay out an alleged culture of racial bias at the firm. Davis Polk, on the other hand, has argued that Cardwell was let go due to performance issues and not because of her complaints regarding discriminatory practices.
The whistleblower was let go from Davis Polk in 2018, following which she filed the lawsuit alleging that her dismissal was a retaliatory move. The case has since sent ripples through the corporate legal world and raised questions about the systemic biases at elite law firms.
Cardwell’s suit also claims violations of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law.
Closing arguments from both sides are scheduled for Friday, marking a pivotal stage in the weeks-long trial.
For more details about the case and the latest updates, check out the piece in New York Law Journal. Stay tuned for more comprehensive coverage on this unfolding legal drama and its wider implications for the industry.