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Broker must face pregnancy discrimination, retaliation claims. * by Louise Esola Baldwin Group units must face pregnancy discrimination and retaliation claims brought by a former benefits adviser who alleged she was fired after complaining about her treatment during and after maternity leave, a federal court ruled Tuesday. In Rachel McLauchlin v. Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners LLC et al, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina partially denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment, allowing sex and pregnancy discrimination claims and a Title VII retaliation claim to proceed but dismissing several other claims. Ms. McLauchlin joined Baldwin in December 2021 after it purchased her employee benefits agency, according to the ruling. She informed the company of her pregnancy in February 2022 and gave birth that June. She alleged that managers pressured her to shorten her maternity leave, with one noting that it coincided with "prime selling season." After returning to work, support staff and resources were withdrawn, making it harder to serve clients and generate business, she said. In December 2022, Ms. McLauchlin complained to human resources about alleged pregnancy and sex discrimination, citing her treatment during maternity leave, the lack of a place to express breast milk and commission accounting. Baldwin's internal investigation found no intentional discrimination or retaliation regarding her maternity leave, according to the ruling. The company terminated her in August 2023. Baldwin argued that Ms. McLauchlin failed to meet her legitimate expectations, citing client losses, another account that was considered at risk and concerns about her interactions with colleagues. The court, however, pointed to a November 2022 performance review stating that she was "consistently meeting goals" and "positively contributes to team dynamics." The following month, her former supervisor raised performance and interpersonal concerns after she complained to human resources. Her direct supervisor at the time of her firing identified no performance problems and did not participate in the termination decision, the court said. She also had not been placed on a performance improvement plan, and a written account of her alleged performance problems was prepared only after she was fired and challenged the decision as discriminatory and retaliatory. Those circumstances created factual disputes over whether Baldwin's stated reasons were a pretext for discrimination, the court ruled. The retaliation claim also survived. Viewed together and in Ms. McLauchlin's favor, the changed assessment of her performance, alleged loss of support and termination without coaching or an improvement plan could support a finding of retaliatory intent, the court said. The court dismissed her Family and Medical Leave Act claims because she had worked for Baldwin for less than a year when her leave began. It also dismissed claims involving unpaid commissions, breach of contract and retaliation under North Carolina law. Her disability discrimination claims failed because she did not identify a qualifying disability or seek accommodations for a pregnancy-related medical condition, the ruling said. October 23, 2026

Greenberg Traurig recognized as 2026 Law360 Florida Regional Powerhouse. Sep 25, 2026, 17:15 ET MIAMI, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - For the 10th year, global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. has been recognized as a "Florida Regional Powerhouse" by Law360 for successfully representing clients in key transactions and matters that impact the region. Founded in Miami in 1967, Greenberg Traurig now has more than 400 attorneys across six Florida offices. As the Am Law 20 firm with the largest attorney presence in the state, the firm continues to advise clients on many of Florida's most significant litigation, real estate, corporate, and public finance matters. "From securing landmark litigation victories to advising on transformative transactions and infrastructure projects, our Florida attorneys remain committed to serving clients on the state's most complex and impactful matters," Greenberg Traurig Senior Chairman Matthew B. Gorson said. "Being recognized as a Law360 Florida Powerhouse for the 10th year reflects our deep roots in Florida, our commitment to the state's continued growth, and the dedication of our attorneys to helping shape the future of the communities where we live and work." Over the last year, Greenberg Traurig's Florida Litigation Practice secured significant victories across the state, including representing nine affiliates of Swire Properties in a landmark construction defect lawsuit involving Brickell City Centre, resulting in one of the largest recoveries in a construction defect matter in Florida history. The team also won a landmark appellate victory for Lyft before Florida's Third District Court of Appeal and represented the Florida State University Board of Trustees in litigation involving the Atlantic Coast Conference's Grant of Rights and member exit provisions. Greenberg Traurig attorneys played a key role in helping to bring Miami Freedom Park and the city's new Major League Soccer stadium to fruition through years of land use, environmental, zoning, entitlement, permitting, and remediation work for the transformational development project. The firm's Florida Real Estate Practice advised clients on some of the year's most notable transactions, including representing Kayne Anderson Real Estate and Remedy Medical Properties in their $7.2 billion acquisition of 296 outpatient medical properties from Welltower. The team also guided Swire Properties through the $512 million sale of a majority stake in the retail and parking components of Miami's Brickell City Centre and advised Royal Caribbean on a $292 million port and land acquisition supporting the development of Perfect Day Mexico. Greenberg Traurig's Corporate Practice represented The Baldwin Group in its more than $1 billion merger with CAC Group and advised Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. in its $285 million acquisition of Del Monte Foods assets, reuniting the Del Monte brand under one owner for the first time in nearly four decades. The Public Finance & Infrastructure team advised on more than 120 financings with an aggregate value of approximately $10.5 billion, including representing Brightline in connection with more than $1.9 billion in revenue bond remarketings and serving as bond counsel on multiple statewide financings for the Florida Department of Transportation totaling approximately $2.7 billion. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has approximately 3,200 lawyers across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm's broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI "Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm" by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com. Media Contact Elaine Walker [email protected] T +1 305.579.0832 SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP