Lawyer Sues Boston Agency, Alleging Discrimination

A white lawyer for the Boston Public Health Commission has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit in which she alleges she was passed over for promotion in favor of a less-qualified minority candidate.

Christine Hayes' lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court names the commission as well as executive director Barbara Ferrer as defendants.

Hayes, the commission's deputy general counsel, says in the suit she applied for the job of general counsel. One qualification for the job was a minimum of five years of civil litigation experience. The suit says the black woman hired did not meet that qualification.

The suit seeks promotion to general counsel, lost wages and benefits as well as damages.

A spokeswoman for the commission tells The Boston Globe they intend to fight the complaint.