A Matlock writer sued CBS and the creator of the show for allegedly fostering a hostile work environment following racist and sexually explicit remarks.
John Lowe, who was hired in 2023 as an executive story editor, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, June 17, claiming creator Jennie Urman Snyder and writers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber “fostered a writers room environment permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct.”
According to paperwork obtained by Us Weekly, Lowe said he experienced “repeated racially and sexually offensive conduct.” Lowe claimed he was ultimately fired in 2025 in retaliation for complaining about a particularly offensive comment. (TMZ was first to report the news.)
Lowe, who is Black, recalled asking in June 2025 if the show would be observing Juneteenth. Snyder allegedly responded by referring to the holiday with a racial slur.
The suit claims Lowe was verbally fired less than two weeks later when the show went on hiatus, but there was no written notice or justification for the termination.
Lowe also alleged that Renna once made racist and sexist comments about Eme Ikwuakor, one of the show’s Black cast members. Renna allegedly said that “Eme can barely read” before making a sexually explicit remark about how “Eme’s [big, black c***] saves him.”
Lowe accused Snyder and Lieber of fostering a sexually inappropriate environment on set after they previously commented on how tight his clothes were and about how his shoe size meant he was “well-endowed down there.”
Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Lowe claimed Renna called him late at night while she was in bed. She “graphically” described her sex life and the size of her husband’s genitalia in front of him despite recently undergoing anti-harassment training.
Lowe said Lieber and Renna would grab, wrestle and touch each other while not doing any writing or creative work for the show, which “reinforced a sexually hostile environment.”
Lowe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages after his firing led to loss of income, emotional distress, humiliation and medical expenses.
A spokesperson for CBS Studios issued a statement to Us regarding the lawsuit, which read, “We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously.”
The statement continued: “In this instance, a thorough investigation was completed, and we were unable to find support for his allegations. We look forward to vigorously defending this lawsuit.”
A source tells Us, meanwhile, that the network was not aware the lawsuit had been filed. According to the insider, Lowe made complaints about the workplace “well after” his employment ended.
