Law Students

Northwestern Law Professor Alleges Age Discrimination in Salary Dispute
Download PDF
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

A longstanding Northwestern law professor, Philip Postlewaite, has recently filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing them of age discrimination in salary disparities. The legal action was initiated in a Chicago federal court on Tuesday, shedding light on Postlewaite’s claim that his salary is notably lower than that of his faculty colleagues with considerably less teaching experience.

Background

Philip Postlewaite, 78, commenced teaching tax law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in 1981. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Tax LL.M. program in 2002, of which he currently serves as the director, as outlined in his complaint.

Allegations and Salary Disparities

Postlewaite contends that since rejecting a buyout offer in 2013, he has consistently received “substantially” lower increases to his base pay compared to colleagues with fewer years of teaching experience. In his complaint, he states that his base salary for the current year falls $7,000 below the law school’s median of $289,224 and a significant $55,000 below the top 25% of salaries, which is $337,256. These figures were reportedly obtained from Northwestern University.

  
What
Where


Whether you’re a recent law school grad or an experienced attorney, BCG Attorney Search has the job for you.

Experience Disparity

The assertion that faculty members earning higher salaries have considerably fewer years of teaching experience than Postlewaite adds a unique dimension to this case. With 49 years of teaching law, 42 of which have been at Northwestern, he argues that his extensive experience has not been adequately reflected in his compensation.

University Response and Silence

In response to the legal proceedings, a Northwestern University spokesperson has conveyed that the university refrains from commenting on pending litigation. Postlewaite has not provided immediate comments in response to requests for his perspective on the matter.

Get JD Journal in Your Mail

Subscribe to our FREE daily news alerts and get the latest updates on the most happening events in the legal, business, and celebrity world. You also get your daily dose of humor and entertainment!!




Legal Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Complaint

Before filing the lawsuit, Postlewaite submitted a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights in February. The EEOC complaint alleges that Postlewaite raised his concerns about salary discrepancies with law dean Hari Osofsky in March 2022. However, the complaint notes that Osofsky “did not see a basis for adjustment” to Postlewaite’s salary after a review.

In his EEOC complaint, Postlewaite expressed his belief that the law school tends to allocate resources towards recruiting and retaining younger professors, rather than compensating long-term, older faculty members who remain productive and dedicated.



Make informed decisions in real-time. Subscribe to JDJournal and be in the know with the latest legal updates.

This legal action highlights ongoing challenges and discussions surrounding age discrimination within academic institutions and the efforts to address salary disparities based on experience.

Don’t be a silent ninja! Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.



 

RELEVANT JOBS

Personal Injury Insurance Defense Attorney

USA-CA-Los Angeles

Hickey Smith Dodd is seeking a Personal Injury Insurance Defense Attorney in the Southern California...

Apply now

Associate Attorney - Defense Litigation Experience

USA-TX-Dallas

Galloway\'s Dallas office is seeking an Associate Attorneys with 2 - 5 years of experience to handle...

Apply now

Part-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit

USA-CA-Santa Ana

  Part-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit ...

Apply now

Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit

USA-CA-Santa Ana

Full-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit Organization Descriptio...

Apply now

BCG FEATURED JOB

Locations:

Keyword:



Search Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with ...

Apply Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-Carlsbad

Carlsbad office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with 4-...

Apply Now

Education Law and Public Entity Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law and public ent...

Apply Now

Most Popular

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

To Top