WilmerHale Achieves Historic Settlement in DEA Discrimination Matter

WilmerHale Achieves Historic Settlement in DEA Discrimination Matter

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WilmerHale’s unique anti-discrimination practice draws on our long history of working on complex civil rights matters, our lawyers’ cross-disciplinary experience and decades of advising clients across a broad range of industries on novel issues.
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On March 24, 2025, WilmerHale achieved a $12.5 million settlement on behalf of a class of Black special agents at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

This case was originally filed in 1977 to challenge DEA employment practices that discriminate because of race, including practices regarding promotions, salaries, work assignments, supervisory evaluations, and discipline. Since prevailing at trial in 1981 and then on appeal in 1986, we have worked to bring DEA into compliance with the district court’s orders to stop the discrimination.  The latest settlement specifically concerns promotions to the GS-14 and -15 levels, which refer to highly specialized and valued positions available for Federal employees. The $12.5 million (all of which will go to individual plaintiffs under the terms of the settlement) will compensate class members who were discriminated against because of race in such promotions.

The WilmerHale team includes Daniel Volchok, Ericka Aiken, Andres Salinas, Andrew Waks and Zachary Enos.

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