AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text Disney has been sued for pay discrimination by one of its former top lawyers, expanding a legal battle over claims from female employees who say they're paid less than their male counterparts for similar work. The lawsuit points to systemic pay inequality at Disney, which last year settled a class action from roughly 9,000 workers in California across the company's production and distribution arms, broadcast stations and theme parks, among various other corporate divisions. Under the deal, Disney agreed to pay $43.25 million and retain experts to address salary disparities between men and women employees. Related Stories Movies 'Ice Age 6' Now Titled 'Boiling Point,' Sets 2027 Release Date Movies Disney Animation Unveils Next Original Film 'Hexed,' Arrives in Theaters Fall 2026 In that case, unsealed court filings indicated that Disney was aware of allegations of widespread pay inequality for years. Alisa Clairet, an ex-senior legal executive for Disney Channel who handled talent contracts, production agreements and licensing, was identified as a member of the class but chose to file her own lawsuit last month in California state court. Clairet alleges her tenure at Disney started on unequal footing, accusing the company of hiring a man for the same work but with a more senior title and higher pay. She later received a promotion to match her colleague's position but didn't receive a raise, the lawsuit says. When she complained to the head of legal affairs for Disney Television, which allegedly acknowledged the disparity and turned the issue over to human resources, she claims no action was taken. From 2019 to 2024, Clairet completed 173 projects with the highest-profile clients compared to 109 by her male counterpart, according to the complaint. At one point, she says she was the lead lawyer for all animated third party productions and simultaneously managed six live action series. This includes performing the legal work for her colleague, who allegedly didn't complete the necessary agreements and documentation for Raven's Home. An exec later discovered that the show was produced for over two years without basic legal requirements, like having contracts for executive producers and writers in place. Clairet, "already busy with more projects than anyone else in the department, quickly stepped in and took over the series getting all the necessary agreements negotiated and signed in short order," writes Nathan Smith, a lawyer for the now-vice president of TV legal affairs for Legendary Entertainment, in the complaint. Last year, Clairet was terminated amid the entertainment giant's $7.5 billion cost-cutting effort. She says the decision not to lay off her male counterpart was motivated by gender discrimination and her yearslong campaign for equal pay. "If the reasons for the layoffs were due to cost cutting and efficiencies as Ms. Clairet was explicitly told, then the higher paid and less effective male Principal Counsel should have been selected," the complaint states. The lawsuit brings claims for violations of California Equal Pay Act and unfair competition law, disparate treatment based on sex and retaliation, among others. It seeks unspecified damages from Disney, which declined to comment for this story. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up international Canal+ to Take Stake in French Movie Theater Giant UGC, Eyes Full Takeover by 2028 music Spin Magazine Sale Collapses After Buyer Doesn't Wire the Money Business Features Fox, CBS May Want In on Local TV Station Buying Spree Vogue Anna Wintour Taps Chloe Malle as Vogue U.S. Head of Editorial siriusxm Howard Stern Delays SiriusXM Return Until Next Week After Teasing Big Reveal About His Future John Malone John Malone Says He Advised David Zaslav on Warner Bros. Discovery Compensation Package, NBA Rights international Canal+ to Take Stake in French Movie Theater Giant UGC, Eyes Full Takeover by 2028 music Spin Magazine Sale Collapses After Buyer Doesn't Wire the Money Business Features Fox, CBS May Want In on Local TV Station Buying Spree Vogue Anna Wintour Taps Chloe Malle as Vogue U.S. Head of Editorial siriusxm Howard Stern Delays SiriusXM Return Until Next Week After Teasing Big Reveal About His Future John Malone John Malone Says He Advised David Zaslav on Warner Bros. Discovery Compensation Package, NBA Rights