Ellen Pao, the former partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, announced Thursday that she would not appeal the jury verdict last spring that found that the venture firm did not discriminate and retaliate against her, according to Recode.
In a statement to Recode, Pao said:
I think I brought these important issues to the forefront of the conversation, but the online aggression has had a toll on me and my family…That so many people heard what I had to say, against all that was brought to bear against me, is a testament to the depth of the problem related to women and tech … [But] I have gone as far as I can go and cannot commit the resources and time that would be needed to continue.
Pao also penned a post for Recode about her decision and the legal and public relations impediments that made her experience difficult. She ended with a plea to employers:
Please don’t try to silence employees who raise discrimination and harassment concerns. Instead allow balanced and complete perspectives to come out publicly so we can all learn and improve. I and many others are eager to hear more stories being shared by women and minorities. I turned down offers to settle so I can keep telling mine. We need to keep telling our stories and educating people on how it can be that women and minorities form such a small fraction of our investor base, our tech workforce and our leadership.
In a column, I had argued that Pao should move on from the case since she had achieved her aims of shedding light on the issue.
Pao, who recently resigned from her job as interim CEO of Reddit, owes the firm $276,000 in legal fees, at 10 percent interest, which she said she would pay. The firm had said it would waive the amount if she dropped the appeal.
A spokesman for Kleiner sent me this statement from the firm:
We are glad to put this trial behind us. There is no question diversity in the workplace is an important issue. KPCB remains committed to supporting women and minorities in venture capital and technology both inside our firm and within our industry.
Above: Ellen Pao (right) with her attorney, Therese Lawless, in February. (John Green/Bay Area News Group)