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A Massachusetts woman claims that a well-known Boston attorney mishandled her gender and age bias complaint and misled her about its potential for years, all while convincing her to rent him a property at a discounted rate to cover litigation costs.

Mary Fowler alleges that Jeffrey A. Denner, a prominent attorney, took more than $30,000 in retainers but failed to file a mandatory complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), effectively invalidating her claims. The lawsuit was filed on December 27 in Essex County Superior Court.

Fowler, a $145,000-a-year district manager at liquor distributor Martignetti Cos., said she began experiencing discrimination from a new manager in 2017. At the time, she was 49 years old. After reaching out to Denner, she initially paid him a $7,500 retainer. Following her termination in 2018, when she was replaced by a younger male employee, Denner advised her not to sign a severance agreement. He then requested an additional $25,000 retainer to pursue her discrimination case, according to the lawsuit.

Massachusetts law requires plaintiffs to file a complaint with the MCAD within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory act to preserve their right to sue. Fowler’s complaint alleges that Denner failed to do so, ultimately undermining her case.

The lawsuit states that Denner communicated with Martignetti’s legal team shortly after Fowler's termination, receiving a settlement offer that included a 50% increase in her severance, removal of a noncompete clause, and a positive reference letter. However, Fowler claims Denner never conveyed this offer to her or responded to Martignetti's proposal.

In November 2018, Denner allegedly persuaded Fowler to rent him her 1,900-square-foot home in upscale Newburyport at below-market value, promising that the reduced rent would offset litigation fees for her discrimination claim. According to the complaint, Denner assured her he would pursue her case, which he never did.

It was not until 2022 that Fowler learned Denner had failed to file the MCAD complaint. The lawsuit also claims that Denner falsely suggested she could pursue a breach of contract claim, despite there being "no colorable basis whatsoever" for such an argument. No breach of contract claim was ever filed on Fowler's behalf.

Fowler, who struggled to find work at a comparable salary, eventually accepted a position paying $80,000 — nearly half of her former earnings. The lawsuit estimates her financial losses at over $1.1 million in potential income, in addition to emotional and punitive damages.