Settlement resolves claims by Black employees alleging inequities in hiring, pay, and advancement and calls for greater corporate accountability
OAKLAND, Calif. (May 7, 2026) — Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump announced a $50 million class action settlement against Google, LLC on behalf of Black employees who alleged systemic racial disparities in hiring, pay, and advancement.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted final approval, concluding years of litigation brought by named plaintiffs April Curley, Ronika Lewis, Rayna Reid, and Desiree Mayon, with Curley, Lewis, and Mayon serving as settlement class representatives. The court found the settlement fair, reasonable, and adequate.
“This case is about accountability, plain and simple,” Crump said. “For far too long, Black employees in the tech industry have faced barriers that limit opportunity. This settlement is a significant step toward holding one of the world’s most powerful companies accountable and making clear that discriminatory practices cannot and will not be tolerated.”
The agreement establishes a $50 million fund and includes nonmonetary provisions. Non-monetary provisions include ongoing pay equity analyses, strengthened reporting pathways, pay transparency measures, and limits on mandatory arbitration for employment-related disputes through at least August 2026. It follows years of litigation, including contested motions, extensive discovery, and mediation.
The settlement class includes Black employees in certain job levels who worked in job levels 3–6 in California (March 18, 2018–Dec. 31, 2023) and/or New York (Oct. 15, 2017–Dec. 31, 2023), subject to certain exclusions. Class members have already been contacted and are directed to curleysettlement.com.
The resolution is a significant class action outcome addressing alleged racial disparities in the technology sector. It reflects growing calls for equitable workplace practices and sends a clear message across Silicon Valley and beyond: Companies must ensure fair treatment of Black employees at every level, and even the most powerful corporations are not beyond accountability.
The settlement is a resolution of disputed claims and does not constitute an admission of liability.
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Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
