Industry Noize: WME Sued By Ex-Assistant

William Morris Endeavor discriminated against and harassed a former assistant in the non-scripted television department, according to a lawsuit filed June 5 in Los Angeles by Sean Bryan, who includes managing agent Carole Katz as a named defendant in the action.

Bryan alleges that soon after William Morris Agency merged with Endeavor, a “pattern or practice of harassment” based on his age developed against him. He accuses Katz of “repeatedly and routinely” telling him he “did not fit the Endeavor model,” “wasn’t the right fit,” and saying “you’ll be thanking us later” before he was told his position was eliminated and he was let go around August 2012.

He further claims in court documents that his WME superiors would routinely comment about his age, making comments like: “Who’s the old guy at the desk?” “What’s up old-timer?” “Haven’t you been here for 100 years?” and “You are going to have a hard time here because of your age and hair color.”

Bryan, self-described as a 44-year-old gay man, claims he was denied admission to WME’s agent trainee program “despite … being the most qualified in the given applicant pool.”

He also believes the company replaced him with a recent college graduate that was under 40, despite telling him his position was gone.

The former assistant accuses the agency of failing to prevent and, in fact, creating an “intimidating, hostile, abusive and offensive work environment,” the conduct of which he perceived as “severe, pervasive, physically and emotionally threatening, and humiliating” and which “interfered with Plaintiff’s work-related activities.”

WME disputes the charges. “Mr. Bryan’s age discrimination claim against WME is utterly meritless, and WME will not have any difficulty defending itself on the merits in a courtroom setting. Mr. Bryan had a chronic tardiness and absenteeism problem which was well documented, and he was not discriminated against in any way, shape or form. Any further comment would unduly dignify a frivolous lawsuit that should never have been filed.”said Mark Baute, lead attorney for WME.

Bryan seeks unspecified punitive and general damages for emotional distress and mental suffering, loss of income, benefits and medical expenses, prejudgment interest, attorneys fees and court costs.

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