Gender discrimination lawsuit Ellen Pao

on may 10, 2012, pao filed gender discrimination suit against kleiner perkins went trial in late february 2015. covered national media , elicited broad comment regarding issues raised. case live blogged , tweeted constantly, point of providing both humorous , serious feedback lawyers , witnesses. trial, lasting 24 days, resulted in favorable verdict kleiner perkins.

while trial taking place, gender discrimination suit filed against twitter tina huang , suit alleging sexual , racial discrimination filed against facebook chia hong. law professor joan williams commented have been quite coincidence if these actions not influenced ellen pao. more broadly, employment lawyers described increase in number of women coming forward claims of gender inequality , term pao effect coined describe resulting increase in lawsuits. though many reporters commented positively on changing culture, expressed foreboding companies less hire women during period of abundant legal action. discussion of trial s influence continued after conclusion of pao v. kleiner perkins when discrimination claim made microsoft researcher katie moussouris.

following trial, kleiner perkins sought $972,814 in legal costs , offered withdraw fee if pao declined appeal verdict. on june 1, 2015, pao filed appeal, 1 week before deadline. on june 5, kleiner perkins claimed pao wanted $2.7 million not appeal, amount called improper , excessive . judge ruled on june 18 pao responsible $275,966 citing economic resources of both parties under fair employment , housing act. pao filed objection argument award against plaintiff result in chilling effect on future discrimination cases. on september 10, 2015, pao wrote guest post re/code in urged companies more open bias accusations made employees. post stated deciding not appeal still paying $276,000 due additional stipulation kleiner perkins fee waived after signing non-disparagement agreement. however, 1 week later when pao formally dropped appeal, kleiner perkins filed close case without payment per original announcement.