Former BigLaw employee alleges she was wrongly fired for vaccine refusal
A former practice group assistant at Jenner & Block has filed a lawsuit contending that the law firm violated federal law when it fired her for refusing to get a vaccine for COVID-19. (Image from Shutterstock)
A former practice group assistant at Jenner & Block has filed a lawsuit contending that the law firm violated federal law when it fired her for refusing to get a vaccine for COVID-19.
The former employee, Denise Lemke, alleges that the firm should have granted a religious exemption from its vaccine mandate when she sought an accommodation.
Law360 has the story on the May 17 suit.
Lemke’s request stated that fetal tissue was used in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, and she thinks that it would “be a mortal sin” to get vaccinated.
Lemke was fired in March 2022 at age 53, about two weeks after her accommodation request was denied.
“On information and belief,” the suit alleges, “Jenner granted similar requests for accommodation that were sought by men and were sought by people younger than plaintiff.”
The suit alleges discrimination based on religion, sex and age.
Jenner & Block did not immediately reply to the ABA Journal’s request for comment sent via the firm’s media requests email address.
