DLA Piper Sued for Discrimination After Firing Palestinian Lawyer

By | May 15, 2026 |

Yasmeen Elagha, a recent graduate from Northwestern Pritzker, has filed a federal civil rights complaint against DLA Piper, alleging discrimination based on her Palestinian identity. Elagha claims she was terminated just 26 days after revealing her heritage during onboarding, making her the only hijab-wearing employee at the firm during her summer associate position. The lawsuit includes nine counts under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, citing race, national origin, and religion-based discrimination, as well as retaliation. DLA Piper contends that Elagha was fired for failing to disclose a criminal matter, which she disputes, asserting that no such matter exists. The complaint highlights a broader context of alleged anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian discrimination within the firm, referencing a letter co-signed by DLA Piper warning law schools about recruiting students who do not align with the firm’s stance on Palestine. The case raises significant concerns about workplace discrimination and the treatment of Muslim and Palestinian individuals in the legal profession.

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