Helton originally filed her lawsuit against the bank in November 2021, alleging age and gender discrimination under Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell granted summary judgment, finding that the Geo D. Warthen Bank had provided legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for terminating Helton, who had been with the bank for nearly thirty years.
Helton’s appeal argued that Judge Treadwell’s decision effectively “nullified” the order disqualifying Freeman Mathis, and she claimed that the judge abused his discretion by considering a motion filed by an attorney from a disqualified law firm.
The Bank’s Counterpunch
In a surprising twist of events, the bank argued that Helton had the opportunity to request the Georgia district court to dismiss pleadings filed by the bank’s former legal team from Freeman Mathis. The bank, however, alleged that Helton had waived her right to object by remaining silent on the matter until the court granted summary judgment.
