Barrett & Farahany, an award-winning employment law firm – the largest and oldest in the Southeast dedicated exclusively to employee rights, with a national reputation of excellence, announces a resolution in a case marked by allegations of racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Lead attorneys Matthew C. Billips, Benjamin A. Stark, and Constance Cooper spearheaded the representation of Rene Cisneros, a Hispanic former manufacturing production manager, against his former employer, Cutting Edge Stone, a stone fabrication company.
“We’re certainly happy they ruled in our favor,” attorney Matthew C. Billips said. “It was a case where there were a lot of disputed issues and it came down to who the jury believed. We are happy they sided with Mr. Cisneros.”
Mr. Cisneros raised concerns regarding the egregious behavior of his Caucasian subordinate, Kevin Kennally, who engaged in acts of harassment, physical threats, and the use of racial slurs. Despite Mr. Cisneros’s repeated attempts to seek recourse and report these intolerable actions, his boss, Bruce Koop, dismissed his complaints with the refrain, “I don’t want to hear any complaints.” The repercussions of Mr. Cisneros’s steadfast stand against racial discrimination were severe, resulting in his unjust demotion and pay reduction in October 2019, followed by wrongful termination in January 2020.
“I was very pleased with the professionalism, care, and patience of both counsel throughout this process. I was expecting justice. And that’s what the jury gave me,” said Rene Cisneros.
The case unfolded within the purview of critical statutes, notably 42 U.S.C. Section 1981 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, serving as pillars of protection against discriminatory practices. The culmination of this case resulted in a reported verdict of $643,000, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for Mr. Cisneros and in the broader landscape of workplace equity.
Attorney Constance Cooper, reflecting on the enduring significance of this case, said, “It was an honor to bring our client justice after fighting for more than four years. It was an uphill battle—a “he said/he said” case—but ultimately our client’s voice was clear to the jury. He spoke truth to power and won the day.”
