Dr. LaTanya McNeal, a former executive dean at a Florida college, has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation after advocating for her disabled daughter. The complaint was lodged by Dr. McNeal on November 24, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County against the Board of Trustees of Palm Beach State College.
Dr. McNeal’s legal battle centers around claims that her advocacy for her daughter led to swift retaliation from college administrators. Her daughter, who required ADA accommodations and is part of the LGBTQ+ community, was allegedly removed unfairly from her academic program by college officials Kimberly Lancaster and Deborah Goldman. Dr. McNeal’s subsequent complaints to her supervisor and Human Resources about this discrimination were reportedly ignored, leading to further retaliation against her, including denial of reasonable accommodations for her own disability.
The lawsuit details multiple allegations under federal statutes such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It describes how Dr. McNeal faced escalating hostility from Lancaster after hiring an attorney for her daughter and advocating on her behalf. This hostility included harassing emails copied to faculty and administrators.
Despite raising these issues with Vice President Dr. Peter Barbatis and Human Resources, no action was taken to address them. Instead, Dr. Barbatis allegedly dismissed Dr. McNeal’s concerns with comments that trivialized her situation or were racially insensitive, such as warning her not to be perceived as an “angry black woman.” Further compounding these issues were remarks about her age when she returned from medical leave.
Dr. McNeal seeks several forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgments stating violations occurred under various acts; injunctions preventing further violations; compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress; punitive damages; reinstatement or front pay; and coverage of legal costs including attorney fees.
The case underscores significant allegations regarding workplace discrimination based on race, age, disability status, and retaliatory practices within educational institutions—a matter resonating deeply with ongoing national conversations about equity in employment settings.
Representing Dr. McNeal is Ephraim Roy Hess from Hess Law Firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Case ID is: 502025CA012279XXXAMB Div: AE.
Source: 502025CA012279XXXAMB_Latanya_Macneal_v_The_Board_of_Trustees_Complaint_Palm_Beach_Florida.pdf
