January 29, 2024

NEW YORK, NY – A federal jury in Manhattan ruled quickly on Monday, finding Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and two lawyers not accountable in the case of a former Black associate who claimed he was fired for bringing up issues of racial bias and diversity. The jury, which consisted of five women and five men, rendered its decision against plaintiff Kaloma Cardwell, who claimed that Davis Polk fired him in 2018 in less than two hours of discussion. Dismissing the plaintiff’s accusations, Davis Polk says he was let go for poor performance, characterizing himself as one of many associates who depart due to its “up or out” advancement model – common in BigLaw.

Impact Trial worked on this matter alongside Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, on behalf of Davis Polk and Wardwell LLP, Thomas Reid, and John Bick. Impact Trial’s team members were Bill Weir, Randall Carter, William Pineda, Jennifer Gustavson, Rebecca Lavernoich, Mike Stovall and Rou Wen.

Congratulations to Davis Polk and Wardwell LLP, the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP team, and our talented Impact members!

The case is Cardwell v. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP et al., case number 1:19-cv-10256, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.