Ruling in
favor of the Interpublic Group of Companies, a New York trial jury today dismissed a complaint by longtime legal department employee Joy Noel that she was passed over for promotion at the company in
2011 due to her race.
Noel sued in spring 2012, originally asking for $50 million in damages. Late last year the judge hearing the case, Harold Baer Jr., of the U.S. District Court in
Manhattan, dismissed the original complaint but gave Noel the opportunity to re-file focusing on two of her charges, including a retaliation claim and an allegation that the holding company unlawfully
passed her over for promotion.
It took the jury about 15 minutes to decide in IPG’s favor after Judge Baer provided instructions for deliberation earlier today.
“We’re pleased that justice prevailed,” IPG stated after the verdict was handed down. “We always believed in our position and are glad the jury has agreed.”
The company added: “The accusations by Ms. Noel against our company and several long-serving employees have been incredibly hurtful on both professional and personal levels. Having the jury
come back so quickly with a ruling in our favor on all counts provides complete vindication for our company and our people, especially [IPG human resources executive] Marge Hoey. In light of the hard
work so many of us have done, including Marge, to advance diversity and inclusion at IPG and in our industry, we’re very pleased to have this trial behind us.”
But according to
Noel’s attorney Eric Sanders, the case isn't over yet. He said there was a “great possibility” that Noel would appeal. “Obviously, we’re disappointed with the
jury’s decision but we respect the judicial process,” Sanders said.
But Sanders added the case has a “number of appealable issues,” including the process by which
the jury was selected. “This is only the beginning,” he said.
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