California's largest law firm accused of age discrimination.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 1995--Pillsbury Madison & Sutro, California's largest law firm, has been charged with intentionally discriminating against its "older employees" in papers to be filed with the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Three long-term secretaries and the firm's director of Human Resources alleged that Pillsbury, which grossed more than $210 million last year, has very consciously plotted to rid the firm of its older secretaries. They assert that the firm first threatened older secretaries with more work and possible firings months before they unveiled a "voluntary" early retirement program.

In documents filed with DFEH the employees claim that Pillsbury created a paper trail which sets forth its illegal plans. They will prove that Pillsbury wanted to rid itself of its older workers in order to reengineer its staff and minimize the risk of claims of age discrimination. Pillsbury wanted a "Perky" image to more effectively attract clients and accommodate the younger partners.

"It is particularly reprehensible that Pillsbury has engaged in this conduct. They are one of the most prestigious firms in the country representing some of the most politically and economically powerful companies in the world. If they do this type of blatant discrimination in their own house, I can only wonder how they advise their clients," said Frances Pinnock, of San Francisco's West Coast Center for Law and Justice, the firm representing the employees. "I would think that many of their clients will now have to rethink the advice they have received from Pillsbury," she continued.

The secretaries and their attorneys promise that they will expose all of the illegal conduct which Pillsbury has engaged in over the years, including turning their corporate head the other way when money-making partners sexually harass secretaries.

Since the Firm merged in 1991 with a large L.A. firm, they have committed a series of "firings" in order to increase partners' profits and mold the corporate image. Last year each of its 186 partners was paid a record $360,000.

The law office of the West Coast Center for Law and Justice will be available by phone to answer questions and provide more details upon request.

CONTACT: West Coast Center for Law & Justice

Law Offices of Pinnock & Schectman

Steven Schectman, 415/431-6500