Anisha Mehta, a former senior associate at DLA Piper LLP, has called her dismissal by the firm a case of pretextual firing based on pregnancy and paid leave requests. Mehta, an intellectual property lawyer, was 6.5 months pregnant when she was let go by the firm, which cited financial reasons for the decision.
Mehta has challenged the firm’s justification in court, claiming that DLA Piper’s assertion of her underperformance is baseless. Presenting her case under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and applicable New York state and city laws, Mehta opposes the firm’s motion for summary judgment. She argues that the alleged performance issues are unfounded, as no negative feedback was previously relayed to her during her nearly year-long tenure. Furthermore, she points to her receipt of three raises and two discretionary bonuses as evidence that contradicts the firm’s claims.
The legal community is watching as the case progresses, given its implications for employment law and the rights of pregnant employees. DLA Piper has previously contended that performance-related issues were behind the decision, but Mehta’s assertions, combined with her employment history, have widened the spotlight on pregnancy discrimination in high-profile law firms.