SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, 2026 – Proskauer secured a complete defense verdict for Meta Platforms after a nearly five-month employment discrimination trial. A California jury returned a verdict in Meta's favor on every claim asserted by the plaintiff in Talia Kennedy v. Meta Platforms, Inc., rejecting allegations of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.
The plaintiff, a former Meta product manager, sought claims exceeding $530 million. During the trial, the plaintiff called 30 current and former Meta employees to testify, after identifying more than 60 potential witnesses across the United States, Europe, and Asia, requiring extensive witness preparation and complex logistical coordination. After hearing the evidence over 53 days of trial, the jury found entirely in Meta's favor after less than a day of deliberation, awarding no damages.
"This case required a disciplined trial strategy built on credibility and the evidence," said Proskauer partner Keisha-Ann G. Gray, the trial team lead. "When we were asked to take over this case, we focused on presenting the facts directly and earning the jury's trust. When you respect jurors enough to confront the difficult facts head-on and let the plaintiff's own words discredit the plaintiff’s story, you build credibility. I believe juries respond to authenticity and careful preparation. That approach, combined with the outstanding work of the Proskauer trial team, delivered an exceptional result for our client."
The Proskauer trial team was led by partner Keisha-Ann G. Gray (Labor & Employment) and included partners Nicole Eichberger and Patrick Lamparello (Labor & Employment); partners Susan Gutierrez and Steve Hibbard and senior counsel Christina Assi (Litigation); senior counsel Jonathan Slowik (Labor & Employment); special counsel Melanie Speight and Margaret Swetman (Labor & Employment); associates Hayden Bashinski, Lexie Reynolds, Margo Richard, Lale Brown and Cooper Halpern (Labor & Employment); associate Courtland Cuevas (Litigation); and trial specialist Jeff Soldridge (Litigation).
About Proskauer
Proskauer is an elite global law firm with more than 900 lawyers in key financial centers in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. Our clients include many of the world’s leading businesses, including asset managers, banks, listed corporations, and private companies. We have deep expertise in several of the fastest-growing and dynamic segments of the market, including sports, technology, life sciences, and health care. We represent hundreds of asset managers across a wide spectrum of sectors and strategies, including private equity, private credit, hedge, real assets, secondaries, and capital solutions.
Proskauer is the go-to employment counsel nationwide for global Fortune 500 corporations, major universities and professional sports leagues. The Firm’s Labor & Employment practice is comprised of more than 150 lawyers who have experience covering every area of labor and employment law and handle the complete range of sophisticated litigation, trial, appellate and counseling, as well as government contractor issues and investigations. Our prowess in the field consistently earns the highest accolades, receiving a top-tier nationwide ranking in Chambers USA and recognized as leaders by The Legal 500 United States and Benchmark Litigation, among others.