San Antonio, Texas, December 9, 2025
TaskUs Inc. faces a lawsuit from the founders of Gengo K.K., Matthew Skyrm and Matthew Romaine, for allegedly breaching contract terms, fraud, and failing to pay up to $1.57 million each in bonuses and severance. Their compensation packages were part of their agreement with Lionbridge Technologies Inc., following TaskUs’s acquisition of their company. TaskUs has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit amid ongoing legal proceedings.
San Antonio, Texas – TaskUs Inc. Faces Lawsuit from AI Company Founders Over Unpaid Bonuses
San Antonio, Texas – TaskUs Inc., a New Braunfels-based provider of outsourced digital services, is facing a lawsuit filed by the founders of an artificial intelligence (AI) company they acquired. The lawsuit alleges that TaskUs owes the founders, Matthew Skyrm and Matthew Romaine, up to $1.57 million each in unpaid bonuses and severance payments.
Details of the Lawsuit
The legal action, initiated in U.S. District Court in San Antonio, accuses TaskUs of breaching contract terms, committing fraud, and misrepresenting its business dealings with Skyrm and Romaine. The founders contend that these unpaid amounts were part of their compensation package from their previous employer, Lionbridge Technologies Inc., which had acquired their AI firm, Gengo K.K., in 2019. Their compensation included cash bonuses and 200,000 restricted stock units each, which were to vest over time or be paid out immediately if the company was sold. In December 2020, Gengo K.K. was sold to Telus International Inc. for $930 million. After the sale, Skyrm and Romaine resigned from Lionbridge and joined TaskUs in May 2021, with Skyrm becoming TaskUs’ Vice President and Head of AI Operations, and Romaine serving as an outside consultant on the company’s AI business. They allege that they have not received the bonuses, shares, or severance payments owed to them by Lionbridge, which has claimed that their employment with TaskUs violated their bonus and share agreements. Skyrm and Romaine have filed legal claims against Lionbridge in Tokyo District Court over the unpaid amounts. They are now suing TaskUs, asserting that indemnity agreements signed with the company require it to cover any unpaid amounts from Lionbridge. Through September 2024, TaskUs paid $134,016 to assist the duo with their legal claims against Lionbridge in Tokyo. However, in November 2023, TaskUs terminated Skyrm’s employment and ended Romaine’s consulting arrangement. The lawsuit alleges that in March 2024, TaskUs CEO proposed canceling the payout deal due to concerns over “open-ended liability.” Seven months later, Skyrm received a letter from TaskUs’ lawyers stating that the company would no longer cover the expenses under the agreement. As of now, TaskUs’ legal representatives have not filed a response to the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam has referred the case to U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth “Betsy” Chestney for pretrial matters.
Background on TaskUs and the Acquisition
TaskUs Inc. is a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to the world’s most innovative companies, helping its clients represent, protect, and grow their brands. Leveraging a cloud-based infrastructure, TaskUs serves clients in fast-growing sectors, including social media, e-commerce, gaming, streaming media, food delivery and ride-sharing, technology, financial services, and healthcare. As of December 31, 2024, TaskUs had a worldwide headcount of approximately 59,000 people across 28 locations in 12 countries, including the United States, the Philippines, and India. In May 2025, TaskUs announced a definitive agreement to become a privately held company, with an affiliate of Blackstone, along with TaskUs Co-Founder and CEO Bryce Maddock and Co-Founder and President Jaspar Weir, acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock for $16.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. This transaction was expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending customary closing conditions and approvals. However, in October 2025, TaskUs terminated the proposed merger agreement after shareholders voted against the plan to take the company private. The stockholders’ rejection led to the abandonment of the plan to privatize TaskUs, and the company remains publicly traded. The lawsuit filed by Skyrm and Romaine adds to the legal challenges faced by TaskUs during this period of transition.
Implications for TaskUs
The lawsuit brings to light the complexities and potential financial obligations associated with corporate acquisitions and the subsequent management of employee compensation agreements. As TaskUs continues to navigate these legal challenges, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the company’s financial standing and its reputation in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the lawsuit against TaskUs about?
The lawsuit alleges that TaskUs owes the founders of an AI company, Matthew Skyrm and Matthew Romaine, up to $1.57 million each in unpaid bonuses and severance payments related to their previous employer, Lionbridge Technologies Inc.
Who are Matthew Skyrm and Matthew Romaine?
Matthew Skyrm and Matthew Romaine are the founders of Gengo K.K., an AI company acquired by Lionbridge Technologies Inc. in 2019. They later joined TaskUs in 2021.
What was the compensation package from Lionbridge Technologies Inc.?
The compensation package included cash bonuses and 200,000 restricted stock units each, which were to vest over time or be paid out immediately if the company was sold.
What is the current status of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit is ongoing, with U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam referring the case to U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth “Betsy” Chestney for pretrial matters. TaskUs has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit.
What is TaskUs Inc.?
TaskUs Inc. is a provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to various companies worldwide, serving sectors such as social media, e-commerce, gaming, streaming media, food delivery, ride-sharing, technology, financial services, and healthcare.
What was the proposed privatization of TaskUs?
In May 2025, TaskUs announced a plan to become a privately held company, with an affiliate of Blackstone, along with TaskUs Co-Founder and CEO Bryce Maddock and Co-Founder and President Jaspar Weir, acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock for $16.50 per share. However, in October 2025, shareholders voted against the plan, leading to its termination.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Parties Involved | TaskUs Inc., Matthew Skyrm, Matthew Romaine |
| Allegations | Breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation |
| Claimed Amount | Up to $1.57 million each in unpaid bonuses and severance |
| Previous Employer | Lionbridge Technologies Inc. |
| Acquisition Details | Gengo K.K. acquired by Lionbridge in 2019; sold to Telus International in December 2020 |
| TaskUs Employment | Skyrm joined as VP and Head of AI Operations; Romaine as outside consultant in May 2021 |
| Indemnity Agreements | Signed with TaskUs to cover unpaid amounts from Lionbridge |
| TaskUs Response | Not yet filed a response to the lawsuit |
| Legal Proceedings | Case referred to U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth “Betsy” Chestney for pretrial matters |
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