Giskan Solotaroff Anderson & Stewart has joined as co-lead counsel in a sex discrimination class action filed against Lockheed Martin in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit alleges that women have been denied professional advancement opportunities and equal pay in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

I. Plaintiff's Factual Allegations

To review the First Amended Complaint, please click here. For detailed information regarding developments in the case, please visit the dedicated case website by clicking this link: http://www.lockheedmartindiscrimination.com.

The lead plaintiff in the case, Carol Bell, a more than 20-year veteran of the company, asserts that she and other females employed by Lockheed Martin face a “glass ceiling” that prevents them from being considered for upper management level positions. Moreover, Plaintiffs allege that women who do hold these senior leadership positions are primarily relegated to “traditionally female” departments, such as Human Resources, Ethics, and Communications.

The suit also alleges that women in positions across various levels at Lockheed Martin are disproportionately paid less than men who perform substantially similar work, with similar or lesser skills and experience, and are disproportionately rated lower than men as a result of the company’s "bell curve" forced rating systems. Lower selection rates in “stretch” positions, leadership training, and other advancement track opportunities have resulted in lower compensation for female professionals; in contrast, male employees with lesser qualifications and experience find themselves on a fast track to promotion.

According to the complaint, it is Lockheed Martin’s practice to restrict posting of open positions Director-level and above (contrary to its policy for lower-level positions which are posted). The suit alleges that Lockheed Martin does not have an application or a formal interview process for these management positions, and instead makes promotion decisions in secretive meetings in which women often are not present.

II. Relief Sought

The suit seeks an order that Lockheed Martin establish fair employment practices in connection with promotion, hiring and compensation, an injunction that would bar the corporation from any acts of discrimination in the future, and compensatory and punitive damages.

III. The Proposed Class

The case is brought on behalf of all current and former female management level employees who have been denied upper management level positions, and who have been discriminated in compensation, including with respect to pay grade, annual and promotional increases, merit pay increases and bonuses. This includes women nationwide who have been affected by Lockheed Martin’s discriminatory practices since March 1, 2006.

IV. Recent Developments

On March 18, 2009, the Console Law Offices in Philadelphia, PA filed an Amended Complaint on behalf of all women who were, are, or will be employed by Lockheed Martin Corporation in "E" or "L" designated positions at level 3, 4, 5 or 6 in the United States of America from March 1, 2006, through the date of the final disposition of this Action. The Amended Complaint can be reviewed by clicking here.

Defendant Lockheed Martin answered the Complaint on April 17, 2009. For a copy of the Answer, click here.

Plaintiffs have served discovery requests and the Court has set an initial hearing for June 17, 2009.

V. Contact Giskan Solotaroff Anderson & Stewart

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