Racial Bias Claim Dismissed for Paula Deen ATLANTA - A federal judge on Monday ruled that a white former employee had no standing to bring claims of racial discrimination in a lawsuit against Paula Deen, the celebrity chef who was the target of criticism this summer after she acknowledged using a racial epithet. The former employee, Lisa T. Jackson, who managed one of Ms. Deen's restaurants in Savannah, Ga., until 2010, had alleged that widespread discrimination against black workers created a difficult work environment for her. She also said such prejudices were "more personally offensive" to her because her nieces are biracial. But Judge William T. Moore Jr., of Federal District Court in Savannah, ruled that Ms. Jackson did not meet the standard for protection under federal law and said she was no more than "an accidental victim of the alleged racial discrimination." Judge Moore also said it was not the responsibility of the courts to mediate instances of friction between employers and their workers. He cautioned that allowing Ms. Jackson's claim to proceed would "serve to conscript federal courts as human-resources departments that are responsible for imposing and monitoring a federally created standard for harmony in the workplace." Judge Moore's order does not affect Ms. Jackson's sexual harassment allegations in the lawsuit, which focus on the conduct of Ms. Deen's brother, Earl W. Hiers, known as Bubba. Ms. Jackson has accused Mr. Hiers of making lewd remarks and displaying pornography while she worked at the restaurant he owns with Ms. Deen, Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House. The ruling came as lawyers for Ms. Deen, 66, and Ms. Jackson continue settlement talks. Ms. Deen's spokeswoman said in a statement that the chef was pleased with the judge's dismissal of the racial bias claim. "As Ms. Deen has stated before, she is confident that those who truly know how she lives her life know that she believes in equal opportunity, kindness and fairness for everyone," said the spokeswoman, Elana Weiss Rose. Matthew Billips, a lawyer representing Ms. Jackson, did not respond to a request for comment. Ms. Deen has been under scrutiny since a deposition taken in connection with Ms. Jackson's lawsuit became public this year. In her testimony, Ms. Deen said that she had previously used a racial slur. The resulting public outrage was swift and left Ms. Deen without her Food Network shows and a series of endorsement deals. Ms. Deen apologized for her remarks and retained much support among her fans, some of whom threatened to boycott the Food Network unless programming featuring Ms. Deen was restored. In Ms. Deen's hometown of Albany, Ga., an organizer of a planned museum honoring Ms. Deen said the project would continue as planned. Kim Severson contributed reporting from Chicago.