EAST ST. LOUIS - Edwardsville lawyer Todd Sivia and Bunker Hill lawyer Calley Mize, formerly of his firm, settled her suit alleging she was discriminated against due to her lack of religion.
Kim Kirn of a federal arbitration and mediation service in St. Louis notified U.S. Magistrate Judge Gilbert Sison on Oct. 31 that she successfully mediated the dispute.
Mize sued Sivia’s firm in June, claiming he fired her for lacking faith and complaining about a Bible verse in email.
Her counsel Nathan Volheim of Lombard wrote, “Todd is openly religious in the workplace.”
Volheim claimed Mize was uncomfortable with Sivia's Christian rhetoric and proselytizing.
“All of defendant’s team meetings started with prayer and at least one firm wide meeting was held in a church,” he wrote.
Volheim claimed severe and pervasive discrimination occurred on a daily basis.
He claimed Mize suffered humiliation, degradation, anguish, and losses of income, benefits, and enjoyment of life.
Sivia issued a press release on July 12, stating the firm held a meeting in a church common area not used for religious practices.
“As a company that exercises its right to publicly profess a business that aligns with principles of faith, Sivia Law stands firmly behind its practices of upholding the rights and respecting the beliefs of all employees,” he wrote.
“Although our firm is founded on godly values, we have established policies and procedures that are in compliance with the law and respect the beliefs of all employees,” he added.
Sivia stated Sivia Law encourages open dialogue and urges employees to report any incidents of discrimination promptly.
He assured employees and clients that the firm remains dedicated to the highest standards of fairness, respect and inclusivity.
“We will continue to exercise our right to reflect matters of faith within our firm, working to strengthen our policies, practices, and training programs to protect the rights and beliefs of every individual,” he wrote.
Ryan Mahoney of Glen Carbon answered the complaint for Sivia in July, admitting he’s religious.
However, Mahoney wrote that the firm employed Mize at will and her employment ended for legitimate reasons.
He claimed Mize failed to meet Sivia’s expectations.
Mahoney added that Sivia didn’t require employees to pray or be religious in the workplace as a condition of employment.
He claimed Mize couldn’t demonstrate that a religious observance or practice conflicted with her employment.
He admitted Sivia’s accountant Anthony Grecco sent all employees a Bible verse stating, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
In September, Sison set trial next October.
Mize and Sivia selected mediator Kirn on Oct. 3, and she crafted a compromise on Oct. 20.
Sison gave the parties 30 days to finalize it.