In a decision that could have implications for other cases pitting partners against their own firms, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that law firm partners are not considered employees under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

In reaching its decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld the dismissal of Joseph von Kaenel’s age discrimination claim against Armstrong Teasdale, which had forced the equity partner to retire in 2014 when he turned 70.