Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Matlock Writer Against CBS Over Racial Comments

Former screenwriter John Lowe, alongside executive producers Nikki Lena and Jeffrey Lieber, has initiated legal action against showrunner Jenny Snyder. The lawsuit alleges that Lowe and other Black employees faced a “hostile work environment” during their time on the show.

Lowe, who contributed to Matlock from October 2023 to July 2025, states that he was pushed out of his role as retaliation after a specific incident was reported. This incident reportedly involved him referring to Juneteenth in a derogatory manner.

The lawsuit cites numerous instances of sexual and racist remarks. One notable incident occurred when a colleague, Ms. Ullman, brought her dog to the writer’s room. Allegedly, her children expressed disapproval about the dog’s dark color. Lowe asserts that for nearly a year, he felt compelled to bring his dog to work, suggesting that this was racially motivated to isolate him and subject him to humiliation, rather than for any creative purpose.

CBS Studios responded to the allegations by stating that an investigation found no evidence to support Lowe’s claims. A spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to a safe workplace and mentioned that they take all complaints seriously. They expressed anticipation of vigorously defending the case.

Additionally, the lawsuit accuses executive producer Nikki Lena of making derogatory comments about a Black cast member, Emme Ikwako, and alleges that Lena contacted Lowe late at night while in her underwear.

“There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment. CBS should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen, and the showrunners and producers of Matlock should be held accountable,” said Lowe’s attorney, Ron Zambrano. He added that Lowe deserves to be treated with the respect that all employees expect and should not have been subjected to such inappropriate remarks that were unrelated to his work.