April 5, 2000

Jury Brings Closure to Pfaltzgraff vs. Potts Employment Dispute After Just 4 Hours of Deliberation

2 min

Washington, D.C., April 5, 2000--A jury in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a verdict absolving The Pfaltzgraff Co. of all liability in a $2.5 million age and gender discrimination case.

The plaintiff, Kathryn Potts, was a national sales manager for Pfaltzgraff prior to her termination in connection with a reduction in force in January of 1998. Potts filed a lawsuit against Pfaltzgraff alleging that it discriminated against her based on her age, gender and disability in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws.

Prior to trial, Judge Rambo granted Pfaltzgraff's motion for summary judgment on Potts' disability discrimination claim, finding that Potts had failed to present evidence establishing that she was "disabled" within the meaning of the statute. After an eight-day jury trial, including 4 hours of deliberation, the jury issued a verdict finding that Pfaltzgraff did not discriminate against Potts based on her age or her gender.

Robert G. Ames and Connie N. Bertram, partners in Venable's Employment and Labor Practice and Pfaltzgraff's lead counsel, are available for interviews and commentary.

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