Pennsylvania Attorneys Granted Summary Judgment in Federal Discrimination Suit

Pittsburgh Partner Trisha Gill and Attorney Bridget Fitzpatrick recently prevailed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on behalf of our restaurant owner clients against claims of discrimination.

Plaintiff, a former general manager of a restaurant owned by our clients, was terminated from her employment due to poor performance. Following her termination, Plaintiff filed suit and alleged discrimination and retaliation under both federal and state law, as well as a violation of the Equal Pay Act.

In their argument, our attorneys established that the decision to terminate Plaintiff’s employment was based on Plaintiff’s well-documented performance issues, including multiple complaints from both customers and employees.

In August 2025, the U.S. District Court granted summary judgment in favor of our clients on all federal claims, dismissing Plaintiff’s federal causes of action. The District Court relinquished jurisdiction as to Plaintiff’s pendent state law claims, which Plaintiff is now pursuing in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.

Trisha A. Gill focuses her practice primarily on the defense of employers in employment discrimination claims and has defended employers in wrongful discharge claims, breach of employment contract (restrictive covenant) claims and claims filed under Pennsylvania’s Wage Payment and Collection law.

Bridget K. Fitzpatrick concentrates her legal practice in the areas of employment litigation and general liability as well as professional liability, insurance coverage, bad faith and toxic torts.