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Race Discrimination in Employment
Global Settlement in 1991 for Mini-Trial Process and Injunctive Relief

Several black employees of Northwest Airlines, headquartered in Minneapolis, approached Sprenger + Lang in the late 1980s, complaining of a wide variety of discrimination at one of the country's largest airlines. The lawsuit was filed in 1989, and moved rapidly toward a settlement consummated in 1991. The settlement resulted in a re-write of the company's human resource policies and a mini-trial process for employees and applicants who filed claims. The Wall Street Journal described the settlement as "one of the most comprehensive ever crafted in a race discrimination case," and the judge praised the parties, stating, "it really is quite incredible that it should come to this stage in such a short time."

The airline was expecting only a small number of claimants, but to its chagrin 1,200 signed up for the mini-trial process. After five years of litigation, the claimants collectively emerged with money and job relief valued at over $40 million.  

Reported Decisions:

• 8 F.3d 626 (8th Cir. 1993)
• 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17673 (D. Minn. July 30, 1991)