White Man Wins $4.8M Discrimination Lawsuit Against Novant Health

Jury sides with former executive who claimed he was fired to make room for more diversity in leadership ranks.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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David Duvall, a former senior vice president at Novant Health, sued the multibillion-dollar health system in federal court in 2019, alleging he was fired because of a push to diversify the leadership ranks. After a trial in 2021, a jury sided with Duvall and awarded him $4.8 million, which was later upheld by a federal appeals court in 2024. Duvall's case is seen as a bellwether for a growing number of lawsuits in which White men accuse their employers of racial bias, claiming they were dismissed or denied opportunities to make room for more women and people of color through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing debate around DEI initiatives and whether they can lead to 'reverse discrimination' against White employees, especially White men who have traditionally dominated corporate leadership roles. The Trump administration has urged White men to come forward with bias complaints, upending decades of civil rights policy that once prioritized the rights of women and people of color.

The details

Duvall had been a senior vice president at Novant Health for five years when the company told him in 2018 that it was 'going in a different direction.' Novant Health then promoted two of Duvall's deputies, a White woman and a Black woman, to take over his duties while it conducted a search for his successor. A Black woman was eventually appointed to permanently replace him. Duvall presented evidence at trial that he had received strong performance reviews and gained national recognition for the marketing program he developed. However, Novant Health said Duvall was terminated for performance issues, including walking off stage during a public presentation. The jury sided with Duvall, and a federal appeals court later upheld the $4.8 million award.

  • In July 2018, Novant Health told Duvall it was 'going in a different direction' and fired him.
  • Duvall sued Novant Health in federal court in November 2019.
  • The trial took place in 2021, two years after Duvall filed the lawsuit.
  • A federal appeals court upheld the $4.8 million award in Duvall's favor in 2024.

The players

David Duvall

A former senior vice president at Novant Health who was fired in 2018 and later won a $4.8 million discrimination lawsuit against the company.

Novant Health

A multibillion-dollar health system that fired Duvall, claiming it was 'going in a different direction,' and later promoted two of his deputies, a White woman and a Black woman, to take over his duties.

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What they’re saying

“Sadly, it is with the slimmest of odds that employees get their day in court, let alone prevail.”

— David Duvall (USA TODAY)

“Discrimination is unlawful whether the victim is Black, White, male or female. Many have hesitated to come forward because they feared retaliation or backlash. But the tide is finally turning and momentum is building around the simple principle that merit, not race or sex, must govern workplace decisions.”

— Nick Barry, Senior Counsel, America First Legal (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing debate around DEI initiatives and whether they can lead to 'reverse discrimination' against White employees, especially White men who have traditionally dominated corporate leadership roles. It also raises questions about the Trump administration's efforts to encourage more 'reverse discrimination' lawsuits from White men.