Texas Jury Clears National Oilwell Varco in High-Profile Employment Discrimination Case

HOUSTON – February 5, 2016 – A Houston federal jury recently found that National Oilwell Varco (NOV) had not done anything wrong in a well-publicized age discrimination case before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. (Goudeau v. National Oilwell Varco, L.P., No. 04:12-cv-03332).

Houston-based NOV, an oilfield equipment supplier, argued that the Plaintiff was terminated for non-discriminatory reasons. The jury found for NOV in just over one hour, clearing the company of any wrongdoing.

The Plaintiff, through his counsel Alfonso Kennard of Kennard Richard, P.C. in Houston and Daniel Gonzalez of El Paso, originally filed suit alleging many claims including age discrimination and retaliation. The District Court granted summary judgment in favor of NOV on all claims brought by Plaintiff and argued on his behalf by his counsel. On appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5^th Circuit, a panel agreed with the District Court’s ruling on all claims with one exception—the age discrimination claim. The age discrimination claim was sent back to the District Court for a trial on the merits. At the trial on the remaining claim, the federal jury heard three days of testimony. The federal jury returned a unanimous and quick verdict, confirming that the District Court’s original assessment of this case was correct and that there was no credible evidence of age discrimination.

The verdict underscores NOV’s commitment to a healthy, lawful workplace.

NOV was represented by Chris Moore and Christine White of Ogletree Deakins.

 
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