Spitalnick v. King & Spalding LLP | Advancing DEI Initiative

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GLOSSARY

The definitions in our glossary are primarily sourced from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary and Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. We have made slight modifications where needed for brevity and to better tailor the definitions to the specific needs of users of this website. For more detailed explanations of the terms, users are encouraged to review the definitions on these websites or conduct their own independent research.

A written request made after a trial court’s final ruling, asking another court to review the trial court's decisions. Appellate courts typically decide whether a legal mistake was made and whether the mistake changed the outcome of the case.

An out-of-court procedure for resolving disputes in which one or more people, “arbitrator(s),” hear evidence and make a decision. It's like a trial in some ways, but typically proceeds more quickly and with less formality.

A lawsuit in which a large number of people with similar legal claims join together (the class) to sue. In this context, it likely refers to cases in which a group of people claim they have suffered discrimination at the hands of an organization.

A document filed in court that starts a lawsuit. In some states and in some types of legal actions, the complaint is called a petition.

When an employee quits a job because working conditions are so intolerable that a reasonable person in the same situation would quit.

the money awarded to one party because of an injury or loss caused by another party.

The person or entity against whom a civil case is filed.

Working conditions that are created when unwelcome, discriminatory conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of a person's employment and creates an abusive working environment.

A court order requiring a person to do or stop doing a specific action.

Harm done to a person or organization by the acts or omissions of another. Injury may be physical or may involve damage to reputation, loss of a legal right, or breach of a contract.

An appeal that occurs before the trial court's final ruling on an entire case.

Any party to a lawsuit. This might include a plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, cross-complainant, or cross-defendant, but not a witness or attorney.

The process of bringing and pursuing (litigating) a lawsuit.

A formal request, either written or oral, that a judge enter a particular order or ruling in a lawsuit.

A motion asking the judge to throw out one or more claims or an entire lawsuit.

These phrases refer to a case whose decision rests upon the law as it applied to the particular evidence and facts presented. This is in opposition to cases whose decisions rest upon procedural grounds (e.g. not filing a timely complaint).

The person, corporation, or other legal entity that initiates a lawsuit seeking damages, enforcement of a contract, or a court determination of rights. In certain states and for some types of lawsuits, the term petitioner is used instead.

Any legal document filed in a lawsuit, including the complaint, answer, and motion(s). The pleading stage gives notice to both parties of the intention of the opposing party regarding the lawsuit.

An opinion of a federal or state court of appeals establishing a legal principle or rule that must be followed by lower courts when faced with similar legal issues.

A court order early in a lawsuit that prohibits the parties from taking a disputed action until the court can decide the merits of the case.

A document that public companies must provide their shareholders prior to a shareholder meeting. The document summarizes proposals submitted to shareholders for a vote.

Punishment of an employee by an employer for engaging in legally protected activity like making a complaint of harassment or participating in workplace investigations. It can include any negative job action, such as demotion, discipline, or firing.

A legal rule under which the federal and state governments are immune from being sued in their own courts without their consent. When it applies, it's an impenetrable defense to a claim for damages.

A person's right to sue and have a court rule on their claims. To invoke a federal court's jurisdiction and have the court exercise its remedial powers on their behalf, a person must have standing.

A court order that suspends or stops certain proceedings.

A final decision by a judge, upon a party's motion, that resolves a lawsuit before there is a trial.

CASE NAME

Spitalnick v. King & Spalding LLP

Overview

Plaintiff challenged a law firm’s diversity internship program, alleging that it requires that applicants be of an “ethnically or culturally diverse background or be a member of the LGBT community.”

Details

Plaintiff, a white, heterosexual woman, claims that the law firm’s eligibility requirements for the program prevented her from applying and that they violate Title VII and section 1981.

Defendant, King & Spalding LLP filed a , arguing, among other things, that Plaintiff lacks and didn't make a valid discrimination claim because she never actually applied for the internship program. They further noted that their targeted outreach advertisement, which Plaintiff cited as evidence of discriminatory eligibility requirements, was specifically encouraged by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

On February 25, 2025, the court ruled in favor of King & Spalding and granted their motion to dismiss. The court found that Plaintiff failed to show she was harmed by the eligibility requirements because she had not shown any intent to apply. Without proof of direct harm from the alleged discriminatory policy, the court determined that her case was no different from someone who simply disagreed with the policy.

On June 22, 2025, Plaintiff appealed the case to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the case. However, on November 13, 2025, Plaintiff stipulated dismissal of all claims.

Court

U.S. District Court, District of Maryland

Status

Filed May 09, 2024 | Decided

King & Spalding successfully filed a motion to dismiss in the case.

Details about the stipulated dismissal are not available.

Relevant Law

Title VII Section 1981

Topic

Targeted programs

Litigation History

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

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Significance

This case is one of many lawsuits brought against major law firms challenging their diversity fellowship programs.