Tom Smith and Jessica Reis won a defense verdict in a Title VII employment discrimination case tried before a jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The plaintiff alleged her employer discriminated against her for failing to accommodate her religion. During the COVID pandemic, plaintiff was requested by her employer to attend an important business meeting being held in the City of St. Louis which had a mask mandate in effect. Plaintiff alleged facial covering was against her religion. Her employer offered several options, but ultimately plaintiff resigned from her employment claiming she was constructively discharged. Plaintiff sought recovery for past lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and punitive damages. Following a four-day trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defendant.