Tesla, Inc.

No Company is Too Big to Play Fair.

Vaughn v. Tesla, Inc. (Case Number RG17882082) is a certified, class action lawsuit brought by Marcus Vaughn, Titus McCaleb, and Monica Chatman, Black former employees at the Tesla factory in Fremont, California. The case alleges widespread race discrimination and harassment, including the pervasive use of racially offensive language (like the “N-word”) by associates, leads, and supervisors. The lawsuit says that despite its knowledge of such conduct, Tesla has not taken sufficient action to stop the ongoing racism in its factory. The lawsuit seeks to stop the ongoing race discrimination and harassment at Tesla’s Fremont factory, to obtain meaningful compensation for current and former Black employees who were exposed to unlawful race harassment at Tesla, and to punish Tesla for its conduct.

On May 17, 2024, the Alameda Superior Court issue certified the case as a class action. The court noted that “[t]he approximately 500 declarations in support of and in opposition to this motion suggest that over a period of approximately eight years Tesla workers in the Fremont factory heard the n-word and otherwise experienced conditions that might reasonably be characterized as race harassment.” The class action trial will address the following questions:

Was there a pattern or practice of pervasive race harassment at Tesla's Fremont Factory? If so, for what time period or periods?
For each of the time periods identified in response to question number 1, did Tesla know or should have known of the pattern or practice of pervasive race harassment at the Fremont factory?
If Tesla knew or should have known that there was a pattern or practice of pervasive race harassment at the Fremont Factory for a time period identified in response to question number 2, did Tesla fail to take immediate and appropriate corrective action?

The class period for the trial on these issues runs through May 17, 2024.

Additionally, the class trial will address whether the court should issue an injunction requiring Tesla to take action to stop harassment at Tesla's Fremont Factory. The class period for the injunctive relief class runs through the date of judgment in the trial.

Our firm is working with Bryan Schwartz Law, P.C. and the California Civil Rights Law Group in representing Plaintiffs and the class. The deRubertis Law Firm will also be working with the team on the class action trial. For more information about their firms, please visit:

This case is entitled Vaughn et al. v Tesla, Inc. Court File No. RG17882082 (Alameda County Superior Court).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is This a Class Action? What Does that Mean?

A:
Yes, this is a class action. On May 17, 2024, the Alameda Superior Court certified this case as a class action. A class action allows one or more people to sue on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated people who have similar claims. That means that all people who worked at Tesla between November 9, 2016 and May 17, 2024 who identify as Black and/or African American are included in the class to resolve the certified issues at trial.
Importantly, however, the court determined that:
Class members MUST FILE an individual lawsuit to obtain damages after the class trial.
If the plaintiffs are successful at class trial, class members may be able to use any beneficial findings to their favor at their individual trial for damages.
If you do not file your individual lawsuit within 10 days after class notice is disseminated, then your statute of limitations will continue to run. CLICK HERE if you would like more information about asserting a claim for damages. It is of utmost importance that class members respond to any communications requiring action in a timely manner to ensure their rights are not negatively impacted.
Q:What Happens Next?

A:
A court-approved notice of the lawsuit will be distributed soon to all class members. This notice will contain more information about the case.
Prior to such notice being distributed, you may receive a letter in the mail asking if you identify yourself as Black and/or African American. If you identify as Black and/or African American and want to be included in this case, it is crucial you respond to this letter.
Please keep an eye out for any emails and/or letters about this case. It is of utmost importance that you timely respond to any communications that require action.
Q:Which Locations and Time Frame Does This Case Cover?

A:
This case includes all Black and/or African American workers who worked at Tesla’s Fremont Factory between November 9, 2016 and May 17, 2024.
Q:Do I Have to Pay Anything?

A:
You do not have to pay anything if you join the lawsuit. The attorneys are handling this case on a contingency fee basis. This means we will only be paid if the lawsuit is successful in obtaining relief either through a settlement, award, or a final judgment, and that payment will only come out of that settlement, award, or final judgment. For information about pursuing a claim for damages, CLICK HERE.
Q:What About Retaliation?

A:
It is against the law for an employer to retaliate against a person for joining a lawsuit alleging discrimination. If you believe you may be the victim of retaliation for joining or participating in this lawsuit, please call 415-582-4841 or email TeslaLawsuit@BryanSchwartzLaw.com .
Q:How Long Will This Case Take?

A:
The length of this kind of lawsuit varies from case to case, but they typically last years. In a historic lawsuit such as this one, the case will likely require 2-4 more years.
Q:How Do I Join This Case?

A:
If you want to pursue a claim for damages, you should CLICK HERE for more information.
Q:How Do I Learn More?

A:
To learn more, please call 415-582-4841 or email TeslaLawsuit@BryanSchwartzLaw.com