Q&A

  1. What is this lawsuit about?
  2. What is a class action?
  3. Who is part of the lawsuit?
  4. Who are the plaintiffs in this case?
  5. Who are the attorneys bringing this case?
  6. What do I have to do to be in the proposed class?
  7. What is the current status of the class?
  8. How can I find out more?
  9. How can I contact you?
  10. Can I be fired or retaliated against for contacting you?

1. What is this lawsuit about?
On December 23, 2008, Carol Bell, a currently employee of Lockheed Martin Corporation, filed a class action lawsuit in federal court in New Jersey. The suit – Carol Bell v. Lockheed Martin Corporation – charges that Lockheed Martin Corporation has acted and continues to act in a pattern and practice of intentional sex discrimination in compensation, training, advancement and promotion, and retaliates against women who complain against such practices.

2. What is a class action?
A class action is a type of lawsuit brought by a representative or representatives on behalf of individuals, i.e., the "Class", with the same claims against the defendant or defendants. Class actions are typically brought when the issues in the class apply to large enough number of people that trying each case individually would be impractical.

3. Who is part of the lawsuit?
According to the complaint, the proposed class currently includes all persons who are female and who were, are, or will be employed by Lockheed Martin Corporation in "E" or "L" designated positions at levels 3, 4, 5 or 6 in the United States of America from March 21,2007, through the date of the final disposition of this Action. Additionally, as set forth in the complaint, there is a proposed subclass of the class which asserts a claim under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The subclass currently includes all persons who are female and who were, are, or will be employed by lockheed Martin Corporation in "E" or "L" designated positions at level 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the State of New Jersey from December 23, 2006, through the date of the final disposition of this Action.

4. Who are the named plaintiffs in this case?
On April 20th, 2011, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint which, among other things, added the individual claims of three new plaintiffs. The class representatives now include women who work or worked for Lockheed Martin in the following locations: New Jersey (Carol Bell), Pennsylvania (Linda Abt), Texas (Maxine Walker), Texas (Gwendolyn Goffney), Maryland (Dianne Sosa), and New Jersey (Andrea de la Torre). These women have filed suit on behalf of all women at Lockheed Martin who are members of the proposed class (See question #3).

5. Who are the attorneys bringing this case?
The following three firms are working together on this case:

To find out more click here, or visit each firms respective website by clicking the link embedded in the name of the law firms above.

6. What do I have to do to be in the proposed class?
You currently have to do nothing at this time. However, if you any information relevant to the lawsuit or would like learn more, please contact us by clicking here or sending an e-mail to info@lockheedmartindiscrimination.com

7. What is the current status of the case?
The case is currently in the discovery phase. On June 23rd, 2010, the Court ordered nationwide discovery including data concerning the full demographic identity of the relevant workforce. The Court also granted plaintiff Carol Bell's motion to amend the complaint to add two additional named plaintiffs, Linda Abt and Maxine Walker. The Second Amended Complaint was in turn filed on June 28, 2010.

8. How can I find out more information?
All key developments, pleadings, and any press releases will be posted on this website. However, if you would like to speak to one of our attorneys, please contact us by clicking here or sending an e-mail to info@lockheedmartindiscrimination.com

9. How can I contact you?
If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys, please contact us by clicking here or sending an e-mail to info@lockheedmartindiscrimination.com

10. Can I be fired or retaliated against for contacting you?
Any sort of retaliatory actions taken by any employer, Lockheed Martin or otherwise, is a violation of the law. If that has happened to you, please contact us.