What if you're looking for a job and you're suing your last employer for harassment and discrimination?

You tell the truth - if you were fired, you specify whatever you were fired for (misunderstood company policy, etc). A future employer is most likely going to ask the former employer if you are "rehire-able". The former employer is going to say "no". The future employer is going to say "well that's fishy. why would someone that retired not be eligible to go back to work there?".

Have you filed a claim with the EEOC or your state's EEO agency? That is the first step in a employment law court case. They will grant you a right to sue letter, if they deem you have a right to sue. If you don't, your case goes no where.

If the paperwork with the former employer says you retired, then you retired. You were not fired except in your mind. Your contention, I assume, is that you were forced to retire. If I were seeking another job, I would leave that contention out of the conversation.

Don't mention that you sued the employer.

Don't mention that you sued the employer. Don't even bring-it-up in a conversation. Don't tell them anything in the job interview. Don't mention the employer. Do the best you can, to get a new job.

If they request a background check they will find out.