The recent proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have stirred discussions regarding the distinction between gender bias and sexual harassment in the workplace. The case in question involves an ex-partner’s allegations against law firm Thompson Hine, claiming that a “frat boy” culture permeated her work environment. This cultural backdrop, she…
A legal battle with potential implications for the judicial workplace has reached the United States Supreme Court. A former public defender is suing the federal judiciary, alleging a pervasive problem of sexual harassment within an environment described as a “uniquely insulated institution.” The case underscores broader concerns regarding the lack of basic workplace protections for…
In a noteworthy decision, a panel from the Seventh Circuit Court highlighted the importance of accuracy in legal documentation. The court rebuked a lawyer for including a fictitious entity in a lawsuit that targeted the Wisconsin Court System and a former judge. The plaintiff’s attorney had substituted the actual institution with a “made-up” name in…
In a recent development surrounding a legal dispute over sexual harassment and retaliation, a Michigan federal judge has ruled that an attorney accusing her former mentor and law firm must undergo two additional hours of deposition. The decision follows allegations that her conduct during the initial deposition obstructed the examination process. This extension is also…
Justice Clarence Thomas has forged a notable path as the second-longest-serving justice in the history of the United States Supreme Court. Appointed in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush, Thomas has spent more than three decades influencing the court through a tenure marked by significant decisions and a distinctive judicial philosophy. His tenure is notable…
A recent decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has determined that Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP cannot compel arbitration in a lawsuit involving allegations from a former associate. The ex-associate claims she was subjected to harassment and subsequently terminated due to her pregnancy, a matter which court findings have indicated is not…
The legal community is observing closely as a former DLA Piper partner seeks dismissal of rape claims made by a former associate. This case began last December when the associate filed a lawsuit against the partner, Louis Biggs, and the law firm, maintaining her anonymity. However, a recent ruling requires her to reveal her identity…
In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Michigan, a managing partner of a law firm has petitioned a federal court to mandate the surrender of allegedly withheld communications and the forensic imaging of electronic devices from a former attorney who has accused him of sexual harassment. This request signifies a significant development in the ongoing…
A spotlight has been cast on the legal tactics employed in the case against billionaire Leon Black, as a prominent lawyer from Wigdor LLP faces judicial sanctions. The court imposed these sanctions due to the lawyer’s repeated presentation of misleading statements, raising concerns around ethical conduct in legal practice. The sanctions were issued against Jeanne…
An attorney’s effort to adjust her ongoing legal battle, involving sexual harassment and retaliation against her former mentor and law firm, encountered a setback when a Michigan federal judge ruled against her. The judge’s decision came after the attorney attempted to introduce a defamation claim and modify other aspects of her lawsuit. The court held…
In a significant legal development, a former investigator employed by a Michigan public defender’s office has filed a federal lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and assault by a senior male attorney. The complaint, lodged on Monday, details allegations of misconduct that purportedly led to retaliation and constructive termination after she reported the incidents. The lawsuit highlights…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has declined to reconsider its decision in Bruce v. Adams & Reese, LLP, affirming that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (EFAA) invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements for entire cases that include sexual harassment claims. This decision underscores the court’s…
In a lawsuit filed this week in California state court, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, a prominent law firm, faces allegations from its former national billing director. The lawsuit accuses the firm of overlooking instances of racist behavior and sexual harassment perpetrated by its partners. It also brings to light concerns about unethical billing…
In a recent development within the legal community, a federal judge in Michigan has permitted three attorneys to withdraw from a case involving allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. The plaintiff, an attorney herself, has accused her former mentor and law firm of misconduct, highlighting persistent challenges within the legal profession concerning workplace behaviors. The…
In a recent development from Michigan, a federal judge conveyed a firm stance on the proceedings of a protracted sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. The judge stated she is unlikely to grant another stay if the attorneys representing the plaintiff, who is suing her former mentor and law firm, choose to withdraw. “We’ve been here….
The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA) is altering the landscape of workplace dispute resolution by extending its reach beyond purely sexual harassment allegations. Recent developments indicate that the federal statute, originally meant to combat the confidentiality of arbitration in sexual harassment cases, is now interpreting its scope to encompass…
In a significant turn of events, plaintiffs’ attorneys are leveraging the Ending Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 to challenge arbitration efforts by major digital platforms Roblox and Discord. These cases highlight growing concerns over child exploitation in online environments, where these platforms are widely used by minors. The Act,…
Recent developments within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have sparked a wave of concern and confusion among legal professionals and employers across the United States. The EEOC’s decision to rescind its previous guidance on workplace sexual harassment has prompted discussions on the implications for businesses and their compliance efforts. The EEOC chair clarified that…
A former female associate has filed a lawsuit against Blank Rome LLP, alleging that the firm failed to “appropriately respond” after she reported being sexually assaulted by a male colleague. The suit contends that the firm’s inaction violated its duty to provide a safe working environment. Blank Rome, a prominent law firm with a history…
Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, has faced intense scrutiny over his financial and personal ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Central to this scrutiny is Black’s engagement of Epstein for tax and estate planning services, resulting in payments totaling $158 million between 2012 and 2017. This relationship has led to multiple legal challenges and investigations….
Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor, is making headlines once again by voicing her concerns over a federal judicial nominee in Louisiana. Carlson, known for her influential role in advocating against the use of forced arbitration in sexual harassment and assault cases, has expressed dismay over the nominee’s previous comments on arbitration, suggesting an…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is currently deliberating the contours of the term “sexual harassment” within the context of a significant legal challenge. This arises from an anti-arbitration statute aimed at providing employees the ability to sue in court for claims of sexual harassment and assault, bypassing the mandatory arbitration agreements…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently rescinded guidance from the Biden administration that broadened the interpretation of “sex” under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to encompass sexual orientation and gender identity. This policy change is notable and potentially contentious, affecting how federal workplace discrimination laws may be applied in the…
The Fourth Circuit Court recently turned down former assistant public defender Caryn Devins Strickland’s request for a rehearing of her sexual harassment lawsuit against the federal judiciary. Her legal team had withdrawn shortly before her bench trial, a move she argued was improperly sanctioned by the district court. The order from the appellate court judges…
The ex-Managing Partner of a prominent U.S. law firm’s London office is currently under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following allegations of sexual harassment. The firm itself initiated an internal investigation upon receiving complaints and subsequently reported its findings to the SRA, which is now actively seeking testimony from individuals who may possess…