John H. Lowe III claims that three of the show’s executive producers made inappropriate comments prior to his “retaliatory termination.”

Former Matlock writer sues CBS, alleging racism, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment

John H. Lowe III claims that three of the show's executive producers made inappropriate comments prior to his "retaliatory termination."

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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on June 17, 2026 5:07 p.m. ET

Kathy Bates, Jason Ritter, and Skye P. Marshall on 'Matlock'. Credit:

Michael Yarish/CBS

- Former *Matlock *writer John H. Lowe III is suing CBS and show producers for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

- Lowe accuses the showrunner and two executive producers of racism, sexual harassment, and "retaliatory termination."

- CBS Studios says an internal investigation found no support for the allegations.

Three *Matlock* producers are being accused of inappropriate behavior in a new lawsuit filed by a former writer on the legal show.

John H. Lowe III, who previously worked on *Virgin River* and *Project Runway*, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against CBS Television Studios, *Matlock* showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, and executive producers Jeffrey Lieber and Nicki Renna, accusing them of fostering a hostile work environment. The complaint, which ** has reviewed, alleges that the trio of producers made racist and sexually explicit comments in the workplace, and that Lowe ultimately suffered "a retaliatory termination."

Lowe accused all the defendants of creating a hostile work environment based on race and sex, and accused CBS of failure to remedy harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation.

John H. Lowe III.

Courtesy of John H. Lowe III

A spokesperson for CBS Studios responded to the filing in a statement to EW. "We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously," the spokesperson said. "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."

EW has reached out to representatives for Urman, Lieber, and Renna for comment.

Lowe's attorney Ron Zambrano said in a statement, "There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment. CBS should be ashamed for allowing it, and the *Matlock* showrunner and producers should be held accountable." He added, "Mr. Lowe was subjected to degrading and unlawful conduct. He deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, as everyone should expect in the workplace, not subjected to these outrageous and illegal racial slurs and sexual harassment without any connection to his work on the show."

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In the complaint, Lowe's attorneys claim that Urman and Lieber commented that Lowe must be "well-endowed down there" based on his shoe size, which "invoked the racist stereotype that Black men have larger genitalia." The complaint also alleges that Lowe was questioned about his dating life, "questioned his sexuality," and "asked him 'how he handled a man's genitals.'"

The complaint later claims that after Lowe asked the executive producers if they would observe the Juneteenth holiday in 2025, Urman responded by referring to the holiday with a racist slur.

John H. Lowe III.

Courtesy of John H. Lowe III

The writer's attorneys also allege that Urman brought a black dog into the office because her children "didn't like the aesthetic" of its black color and placed it onto Lowe's lap, and that Lowe "was coerced into caring for the animal for nearly a year," which he perceived as "racially motivated harassment and an exercise of supervisory power designed to burden him."

The complaint accuses Renna of making "a racially and sexually derogatory comment about Black cast member Eme Ikwuakor," and also alleges that she called Lowe on the phone "late at night" and told him that "she was in bed wearing only her underwear."

Lowe's attorneys allege that despite Urman supposedly referring to him as "a model writer, employee, and a welcomed addition to the writers' room," he was fired from the show in July 2025, which he believes as a "pretextual and retaliatory" act.

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"As a consequence of Defendant's conduct, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer severe emotional distress, humiliation, loss of income, and medical expenses for mental-health treatment," the complaint claims.

Lowe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as lost wages and attorneys' fees.

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