A former partner at New York litigation firm Moses Singer is alleging gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unequal pay, and withheld work opportunities, according to a recent article from Bloomberg Law. Meghan Daneshrad alleges that all these happened prior to her termination, which she deems is a retaliatory move.
Daneshrad claims that she was unjustly fired in October 2023 after she sought workplace accommodations whilst dealing with a pregnancy – which she subsequently lost before her termination. In addition, she also lodged a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on November 17, 2023. A notable quote from the article is Daneshrad’s lawyer, Shane Seppinni, saying, “Ms. Daneshrad is a brave and talented lawyer who deserved better than to be fired without notice after experiencing pregnancy loss.”
The firm’s culture is at the heart of the complaint alleging to have created a “pervasive hostile work environment.” It’s revealed that out of the firm’s 40 partners, only three are female. Despite her partnership status, Daneshrad alleges that her remuneration is less than the male attorneys with junior professional ranking. The lawsuit encompasses a collective of about 40 current and former female Moses Singer attorneys.
Moses Singer is tasked with handling nearly 200 attorneys in their New York office with a core focus on banking and finance practices. The firm previously represented prominent banking giants such as Deutshce Bank AG Singapore, JP Morgan Chase Bank, and Macy’s Backstage Inc.
Daneshrad vs. Moses & Singer LLP et al, S.D.N.Y., is a case we should all be following. The case number is 1:23-cv-11056, and it was filed on December 21, 2023. In the global legal field, issues of gender discrimination and workplace inequity persist. The consequences of this case could have wide-ranging effects on how companies manage gender issues in the workplace. Needless to say, the outcome will be eagerly awaited by many.