I’m Leaving My Employer, But I Am Likely Key To Their Defense In A Lawsuit

(Location: NY) Like the title says, I am leaving my employer, definetly before the end of the year. The feeling is mutual, they have me on a PIP, and I no longer want to work for our new manager.

Our department is generally divided into two groups; older experienced people (I’m in the older group) and new hires. The new hires are all 15 to 20 years younger than the older group. The older group is all getting some sort of friction on a regular basis. Things like PIP’s, extra meetings, elevated levels of reporting, extra scrutiny on projects. Generally, our lives are made difficult, so we’re all pretty much on our way out the door. A few have already left. Some folks are calling this “ageist,” cost-cutting, or other things. But that is of no concern to me. I’m leaving either way.

The lawsuit is a frivolous accusation from a former client related to theft of IP. The accusations involve a few of our current clients, of which I was the account manager for most of them. I don’t want to elaborate due to this being a fairly niche industry. But I will say that all of the clients involved know each other. And none of them are doing anything secret or proprietary. They are all executing chemical processes that have been commercially used for well over 100 years. Plans and equipment are commonly available on the internet. The clients generally differentiate in their business models around this process, but it’s a common process. I am not personally named in the lawsuit, but I have figured heavily in the internal investigation. I'm sure I am in documents that will be shared with the plaintiff.

The arbitration is scheduled to start in 2027, after I will be gone.

I’m wondering how this will work out after I leave? What is my obligation to help them? Should I expect them to pay me to testify, or otherwise assist in their defense.? Would it benefit them more to try to keep me, or to let me go? Can they try and blame me for this? I could be convinced to stay on with a different reporting structure or work responsibilities. I really don’t want to leave the job, but it has become clear I have no choice in the current situation.

In a bit of a plot twist, I’m willing to bet my manager doesn’t know of the lawsuit, and that the legal team doesn’t know my manager is pushing us out. The legal team exists at our corporate level in another state, and personnel issues are handled locally at the divisions.

I will be meeting with an employment lawyer, but I was looking for talking points, or other factors I hadn’t considered before paying him. Sort of to make me a better client.

I’d appreciate any input or ideas.