A jury has cleared Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the storied Silicon Valley venture capital firm, of allegations of gender discrimination by ex-employee Ellen Pao. It’s been a long road to this point. Below, our guide to the Kleiner Perkins-Ellen Pao case.
Fortune’s background coverage of Ellen Pao and Kleiner Perkins:
Cleanup crew
In this 2007 feature story in Fortune magazine, Adam Lashinsky and Marc Gunther write about the unusual partnership between Kleiner’s John Doerr, Generation’s David Blood, and former U.S. vice president Al Gore to remake the global energy business.
Kleiner bets the farm
In this 2008 feature story in Fortune magazine, Adam Lashinsky writes about the firm’s big bet on “green” technology—and details the young team behind it.
A tale of money, sex and power: The Ellen Pao and Buddy Fletcher affair
Adam Lashinsky and Katie Benner’s 2012 Fortune magazine feature on Silicon Valley’s “odd couple.”
Kleiner Perkins: Why we fired Ellen Pao
In this 2013 story on Fortune.com, Dan Primack details how the firm responds to Pao’s allegations of discrimination.
Fortune’s coverage ahead of the trial:
Reddit being pulled into Kleiner Perkins gender discrimination case
Ellen Pao’s current employer is pulled into the lawsuit with her ex-employer ahead of its trial.
Pre-trial briefs in Pao vs. Kleiner Perkins
The actual pre-trial briefs filed by attorneys for Pao and Kleiner Perkins on February 24, 2015.
Ellen Pao vs. KPCB doesn’t reflect Silicon Valley venture capital
Dan Primack adds industry context as opening arguments begin on February 24, 2015.
Fortune’s coverage of the trial:
Week 1:
Arguments start in high-profile Silicon Valley sexism case: Incompetence or bias?
Shalene Gupta files from the courtroom on day one of the trial.
In Silicon Valley sex bias case, stories of an all-male dinner and ski trip
Shalene Gupta files from the courtroom on day two.
Notes from Silicon Valley’s trial of the year
Adam Lashinsky’s analysis of day two.
At Silicon Valley sex bias trial, executive says she saw no discrimination
Shalene Gupta files on day three.
After filing sex bias suit, venture capitalist’s performance review suffered, lawyer says
Shalene Gupta files on day four.
Week 2:
Former venture capitalist acknowledges not investigating sex harassment claim
Shalene Gupta files.
Top venture capitalist soured on employee around time she filed sex bias case
Shalene Gupta files.
Why Ellen Pao’s case against Kleiner Perkins is no slam dunk
Adam Lashinsky’s analysis after one week.
Is Kleiner Perkins dysfunctional?
Dan Primack questions the logic of the trial after one week.
Meet the jury that will decide Silicon Valley’s biggest sex bias case
Shalene Gupta files.
Investigator in Silicon Valley sex bias case gives inside view of Kleiner Perkins
Shalene Gupta files.
Week 3:
Accuser in Kleiner Perkins sex bias case attacks firm
Kia Kokalitcheva files from the courtroom.
Kleiner Perkins goes on the attack in Silicon Valley sexism trial
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
Kleiner Perkins zeros in on accuser’s inconsistencies in sexism trial
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
Ellen Pao faces tough questions from jurors in Kleiner Perkins sexism case
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
In Kleiner Perkins case, only one side gets to discuss Ellen Pao’s motives
Dan Primack’s analysis of the case after three weeks.
Week 4:
Mary Meeker defends Kleiner Perkins in Ellen Pao sexism trial
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
In sexism trial, Kleiner Perkins partner explains giving gift of erotic poetry
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
In sexism trial, Kleiner Perkins partner says Ellen Pao needed to go
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
Week 5:
At Kleiner Perkins trial, it’s all about ‘thought leadership’
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
If Kleiner Perkins loses, who pays?
Dan Primack weighs in as the trial moves into closing arguments.
Closing arguments in Kleiner Perkins sexism trial: Two wildly different views
Kia Kokalitcheva files.
Jury in Kleiner Perkins sexism trial starts deliberations
The gender discrimination case against Kleiner Perkins is finally in the hands of the jury after the two sides finished their closing arguments.
Jury clears Kleiner Perkins of most claims of gender discrimination
The jury has reached its verdict.
