Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a federal lawsuit against Starbucks Corp., alleging that the coffee giant’s hiring and promotion policies violate federal civil rights laws by favoring certain racial and gender groups.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, claims that Starbucks engaged in discriminatory employment practices by prioritizing race and sex in hiring, promotions, and board member selection.
Bailey, a Republican, cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decision, which struck down affirmative action in higher education, as a basis for his claims.
According to the lawsuit, the ruling “made clear that federal law does not tolerate differential treatment based on race,” an argument Bailey is now applying to private-sector employment practices.
The lawsuit, State of Missouri ex rel. Bailey v. Starbucks Corp., No. 4:25-cv-00165, comes amid a broader push against corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Just weeks ago, the Trump administration issued executive orders that could lead to federal investigations of private companies over DEI programs, escalating the legal and political challenges to such initiatives.
Missouri’s complaint could have significant implications for corporate hiring policies, especially as conservative legal challenges continue to target affirmative action and diversity programs in the workplace.
If successful, the lawsuit may prompt other states or federal agencies to scrutinize similar hiring and promotion practices at major corporations.
—
[The case is State of Missouri ex rel. Bailey v. Starbucks Corp., E.D. Mo., No. 4:25-cv-00165, 2/11/25]
