Client Interview Summary: Client, Alice Bennett, provided the following information:

Client believes that she was a recent victim of employment discrimination based on gender, which occurred at Rikards-Hayley, an investment banking firm located at 121 Centre St., New York, New York. She began working for Rikards-Hayley four years ago (she started work on January 5). Her first job was in training and development, where she received nothing but superior evaluations from her supervisors. Approximately two years ago, she was promoted to acting manager of the department. As acting manager, she received superior evaluations. Five months ago, the company decided to fill the manager position permanently. Bennett applied for the position. She was told by her supervisor, Darren Blackwood, that management liked her work, but that she did not quite fit the image they were seeking. She needed to lose weight as well as change her attitude toward male employees. She was perceived as being "too assertive." It would be better, she was told, if she could show more deference. Bennett was not hired as manager. Instead, the company hired Martina Yardly. After Yardly was hired, Bennett states that her life was made miserable. Yardly criticized her work constantly. She also made comments about her appearance, stating that even though she was not hired as manager, she should still try to lose weight and "fix herself up." Two months ago, Bennett was fired. When male employees in Bennett's position are terminated from Rikards-Hayley, they commonly receive a severance package consisting of one year's salary. Bennett received a severance package consisting of six months' salary. As a result of her treatment at work, Bennett claims that she suffered physically and emotionally. She is still seeing a doctor for physical and mental side effects of the stress. To date, her medical bills total $2500. She has also been unable to find other work. In the year before she was terminated, Bennett earned $150,000.

In this scenario, on what specific subjects or topics is discovery needed?

For each topic on your list, which discovery method would you use to gather that information and why would you use that method?

What factors must be considered when choosing among discovery methods?