Law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has announced an end to its eight-year legal battle with former attorney Kristy Wagner, who alleged discrimination following a severe injury from a 2011 zip-lining accident.
On Tuesday, attorneys for both Wagner and Akin filed a joint stipulation of dismissal in federal court in Washington, D.C. The stipulation did not specify whether the parties reached a settlement, and neither Wagner’s nor Akin’s attorneys responded to requests for comment. Akin had previously denied Wagner’s allegations.
In her 2016 lawsuit, Wagner claimed that Akin provided her with work-from-home accommodations after her accident, which required four surgeries. Despite these accommodations, she alleged that the firm informed her she would not achieve partner status unless she worked in the office and traveled for business. Wagner resigned in 2014 after being denied a promotion and facing threats of termination.
After leaving Akin, Wagner joined rival firm Duane Morris as a partner. However, she alleged that Akin interfered with her employment there after she mentioned to a former colleague her intent to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Akin contended that Wagner sent “unwelcome and uninvited text and email messages” to the firm’s partners, including threats of violence.
Wagner claimed that Akin’s actions forced her out of Duane Morris after the firm informed them about impending legal action and threats to alert the FBI and local police. She also alleged that temporary restraining orders Akin obtained against her negatively impacted her job prospects.
In 2017, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan placed Wagner under guardianship at Akin’s request, citing concerns about her capacity to make responsible decisions regarding her case. Sullivan noted that Wagner’s emails indicated signs of “paranoia and delusions.” However, he lifted the guardianship in March, finding her competent to make necessary litigation decisions. Following this, Wagner filed an amended complaint, to which Akin responded with a heavily redacted denial of her claims.
The case is Kristy Wagner v. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 1:16-cv-00568. Wagner is represented by Iris McCollum Green of Green & Foushee, while Akin is represented by Robert G. Lian, Jr., and Robert Pees of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
