HARRISBURG — A legal assistant is suing Stevens & Lee P.C., a law firm, citing alleged violations of pregnancy discrimination, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Alicia Drees filed a complaint on Sept. 17, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, against Stevens & Lee P.C,. alleging that the law firm discriminated against her on the basis of her pregnancy, childbirth, or her and her daughter’s related medical conditions.
The plaintiff alleges that, on March 16, 2017, shortly after she returned to work from approved FMLA maternity leave, Drees was terminated for no legitimate, non-discriminatory reason.
The plaintiff holds Stevens & Lee P.C. responsible because the defendant allegedly permitted similarly situated workers with serious health conditions (or who had family members with serious health conditions) to take FMLA leave without being terminated.
Drees was not afforded the same rights, leave privileges, and other benefits provided to similarly situated employees, including job reinstatement.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks reinstatement to her prior position or a comparable position with the defendant, compensation for back pay, front pay, lost retirement, lost wages, and other lost employee benefits.
Drees further seeks compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages in amounts to be determined at trial, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest; and such other relief the court deems proper. She is represented by Bradford Dorrance of Keefer Wood Allen & Rahal LLP in Harrisburg.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:18-cv-01823-JEJ