The Defender Association of Philadelphia is set to face a jury trial to determine whether it failed to accommodate and subsequently terminated an attorney due to her mental health issues, which were diagnosed while she was representing juveniles charged with sex-based crimes. The trial was brought forward by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of the unnamed attorney.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania highlighted unresolved issues for the jury, including whether the attorney could have resumed her essential job functions if she had been given additional time off. The EEOC also questions if her termination was a direct result of her request for long-term disability leave. These aspects must now be addressed in court to determine if the Defender Association’s actions violated disability accommodation laws.
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