Jurors didn’t buy the Novartis lawyer’s argument that the women were a bunch of hysterics.

Trying to discredit your opponents is a common and acceptable litigation tactic—within bounds. But did Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation go too far? In a recent gender discrimination class action, the drugmaker was accused of insensitivity and hostility by its female employees. It responded by labeling them with demeaning and insulting stereotypes.