Metro legal considering appealing discrimination verdict that could cost city half a million dollars

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -The director of Metro’s Legal Department says the city is considering appealing a verdict by a federal jury that found the leadership of Nashville’s Fire Department discriminated against the deputy fire marshal based on her gender and age.

On Friday, Maggie Lawrence was awarded more than $250,000 in back pay and pain and suffering along with legal fees, which her lawyer estimates could cost upwards of $500,000.

As second in command at the fire marshal’s office, Lawrence sued after she said Nashville Fire Chief William Swann did not consider her for the fire marshal position and made recorded comments that proved he discriminated against her.

Swann instead appointed a younger man from a different department as the new fire marshal.

After the verdict, Lawrence told WSMV4 Investigates she became emotional.

“For (the jury) to say, yes, she was discriminated against., you know it just let me know that I wasn’t crazy,” Lawrence said. “For anyone out there that’s being discriminated against based on their gender and their certain age, there comes a point where we have to stand up for ourselves.”

Wally Dietz, metro director of law, confirmed to WSMV Investigates that they are considering appealing, writing in an email, “The employment decision in this case was made for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons. While we respect the judicial process, we disagree with the jury’s verdict.

The federal judge in the case set a post-trial hearing for May 22, and Dietz said the outcome of that hearing could impact their “options and strategy.”

While the jury found the leadership of the fire department discriminated against Lawrence, they did not find she was retaliated again for speaking out.

Lawrence returned to work at the Nashville fire marshal’s office on Monday.

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