A long-serving financial advisor claims he was treated less favorably than younger colleagues and terminated from his position after invoking his legal rights, according to a federal lawsuit that raises questions about workplace practices for older employees. The complaint was filed by Kenneth J. Schneider in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on April 20, 2026, naming Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC as the defendant.
According to the court filing, Schneider alleges that Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 by discriminating against him based on age and retaliating when he asserted his rights under the law. The suit states that Schneider began working at Wells Fargo on October 2, 1972, eventually becoming a Senior Private Client Financial Advisor within the Wealth and Investment Management division. The document notes that Schneider’s family has over 100 years of combined employment with Wells Fargo, with both his wife and son having worked alongside him.
The complaint details that John Yagla served as Schneider’s branch manager from 2015 through September 2022, followed by Kevin Lewis from September 2022 onward. It is alleged that these managers documented efforts to encourage Schneider to retire for several years. Despite what Schneider describes as a “50-year record of excellence without a single reprimand,” he reports being terminated at age 78 on May 16, 2023. The stated reason for termination was an incident where he swore while speaking to his wife in the office on December 16, 2022.
Schneider contends this explanation was pretextual and asserts that younger financial advisors who violated company professionalism policies were routinely given progressive discipline measures such as coaching or performance improvement plans (PIP), rather than immediate termination. He claims managers willfully refused to provide him with similar opportunities for correction before ending his employment.
The filing also describes administrative steps taken prior to litigation: “Schneider filed his administrative discrimination complaint with the EEOC,” it states, adding that less than ninety days before initiating this suit he received notice of his right to proceed in court. The complaint affirms all conditions precedent have been met under federal procedural rules.
In seeking relief from the court, Schneider requests compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits pursuant to federal statute; reinstatement or monetary compensation including front pay; costs associated with prosecuting the claim such as attorney’s fees; liquidated damages for what are described as willful violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
The document concludes with a demand for a jury trial and is signed electronically by attorneys Alan C. Olson (SBN: 1008953) and Nicholas O. Yurk (SBN: 1095278) of Alan C. Olson & Associates, S.C., representing Kenneth J. Schneider in Case No. 26-690.
