Courts and Employment Law

Clarinetist James Zimmermann has filed a lawsuit against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in Tennessee, alleging the orchestra refused to hire him after he won a blind audition in September because of his past public opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the Nashville Symphony. Zimmermann says CEO Rachel Ford rescinded his candidacy via email citing unspecified items related to his Nashville employment, and he is seeking one year of salary plus $25,000 in additional compensation while arguing that the job instead went to what he calls an 'obvious DEI hire.'