Plaintiffs In Discrimination Case Seek New Counsel As Riot Accused Of Collusion

The gender discrimination lawsuit against Riot -- which seemed to be wrapped up late last year before various government agencies suggested that a $10 million settlement "grossly undercompensated" victims -- took a surprising turn last week.

California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) have suggested that the plaintiffs' legal representation, Rosen & Saba, colluded with Riot Games to produce the relatively low figure. As such, GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that the plaintiffs have found new counsel to continue their legal battle: women's rights attorney Genie Harrison, who pursued cases against the Weinstein Company.

Along with employment lawyer Joseph Lovretovich, Harrison has tabbed a team of "well-qualified statisticians" to analyze pay data and "recover the compensation due to the women of Riot Games and achieve institutional reform, in order to level the playing field for women."

Riot Games has responded to the collusion claims by stating that the original $10 million proposal "was fair and adequate under the circumstances" and that it will "defend ourselves against false narratives and unfair claims that do nothing to remedy any hardships of actual class members."