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Wigdor LLP has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit on behalf of Rebecca Allen, a Goldman Sachs employee, against the banking giant and a Partner of its Investment Banking Division, Christina Minnis. The lawsuit alleges that Goldman Sachs has a pattern and practice of conduct that perpetuates a discriminatory culture where white employees are provided with opportunities for compensation, growth and advancement, whereas black employees are denied similar opportunities.
Ms. Allen, who is black and Jewish, was hired by Goldman Sachs in 2012 and alleges that she has been denied numerous opportunities to advance her career, earning potential and potential for future promotions, despite having an exemplary record of her performance, which is substantiated by her consistently strong reviews and positive accolades from her distinguished clients.
The complaint outlines an instance in which Ms. Allen was abruptly removed from a lucrative client relationship without explanation, only to later find out that Ms. Minnis, who was responsible for removing Ms. Allen, made racist and anti-Semitic comments about Ms. Allen when asked about the basis for the transfer. The complaint also alleges that Goldman Sachs has failed to take any remedial action in response to the alleged discrimination.
Moreover, as set forth in the complaint, very few black people hold leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, further reinforcing the notion that the Goldman does virtually nothing to hire, promote, or develop black talent, instead focusing its efforts on retaining and promoting White employees to positions of leadership.
Ms. Allen is represented by Douglas H. Wigdor, a Partner at Wigdor LLP, and Michael J. Willemin, a Senior Associate. Douglas Wigdor said of the filing:
“It is inconceivable that Goldman Sachs holds itself out as being a diverse employer when its 32-person management team includes only one Black employee. We are confident that with the filing of this complaint, other black employees or those that were denied a position at Goldman will step forward so that we can expose what is really happening behind closed doors with regard to the denial of opportunity for entrance and advancement for qualified black individuals.”
New York Law Journal
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August 16, 2017
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NY Daily News
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Bloomberg
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CNBC
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Reuters
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Gothamist
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Dealbreaker
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New York Post
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Daily Mail
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The Jewish Press
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Buzzfeed
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