The International Criminal Court (ICC) has gathered for its 23rd annual session at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, a meeting overshadowed by several ongoing controversies. This Assembly of States Parties (ASP) comes amidst debates over the court’s effectiveness and concerns about its ability to enforce its mandates. The environment is charged with…
Jackson Lewis has announced the addition of Emily Chase-Sosnoff as a principal in the firm’s Tampa office, further strengthening its presence in Florida. Chase-Sosnoff brings a wealth of experience in advising business leaders, human resources professionals, and managers on various aspects of workplace management. Her expertise encompasses performance management, leaves of absence, discipline, and termination….
The federal judiciary reports progress in reforming its process for addressing workplace complaints, specifically regarding sexual harassment. According to a recent internal report, these reforms aim to better protect the judiciary’s 30,000 employees. However, this comes amid calls from lawmakers for a complete overhaul of the current system in favor of an entirely new approach….
Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, a Long Island-based midsize law firm, along with its managing partner David Heymann, faces a lawsuit in New York federal court over allegations of fostering a work environment rife with sexual harassment and discrimination against women. Former partner Laura Brancato has leveled the accusations, claiming she experienced sexist and harassing…
In response to the UK government’s recent enhancement of rules governing sexual harassment, law firms across the nation are revising their internal policies to comply with the new legislative requirements. The legislation imposes a proactive obligation on employers to anticipate potential occurrences of sexual harassment and take reasonable preventative measures. These changes reflect a broader…
The UK government has recently introduced enhanced rules to combat workplace sexual harassment, prompting changes in policy among major law firms. Under the new legislation, employers are tasked with the responsibility to not only address incidents of harassment but to actively anticipate and prevent them. This adjustment requires firms to adopt comprehensive measures to comply…
The upcoming legal proceedings involving CVS and a former store manager have sparked keen interest among legal professionals. This case will see Michele Cornelius, an ex-CVS store manager, requesting the Third Circuit to provide clarity on an emerging exception to arbitration opt-outs concerning sexual harassment disputes. The outcome of this case is anticipated to carry…
For legal professionals considering careers within the federal judiciary, it’s critical to understand the limitations of workplace protections afforded to its employees. Despite the prestige associated with positions like law clerks and public defenders, these roles come with significant trade-offs, particularly in terms of employment rights. Most notably, the federal judiciary’s workforce — exceeding 30,000…
Caryn Devins Strickland, a former federal public defender, is appealing a recent court decision that rejected her claims concerning the judiciary’s handling of her sexual harassment allegations. This appeal follows the dismissal of her original claims by Senior US District Judge William Young, who asserted that Strickland had not successfully demonstrated a violation of her…
World Central Kitchen Inc., a prominent nonprofit organization renowned for providing meals to those affected by natural and human-made disasters, has appointed Aaron Renenger as its inaugural global general counsel. Renenger, who joins from Milbank LLP where he was a litigation partner, will bring his extensive legal acumen to the food-focused charity founded by celebrity…
The judicial landscape in Alaska has been stirred following revelations involving former federal judge Joshua Kindred. As per recent filings with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Kindred exchanged text messages with a federal prosecutor during an ongoing criminal trial over which he presided. The prosecutor, notably, was a former clerk of…
In a recent legal development, a Kansas federal jury has sided with a law firm known for its advocacy on behalf of divorced fathers. The jury’s decision effectively nullifies a lawsuit filed by a former paralegal at the firm. The paralegal alleged that her termination was a retaliatory action for her efforts to address sexual…
Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s spokesperson has initiated a lawsuit against Wigdor LLP for malicious prosecution. The complaint, filed on Tuesday, accuses the employment law firm of lodging an unfounded retaliation claim. According to the spokesperson, the firm took action against him for his statements, which characterized a sexual harassment lawsuit against Cuomo as extortion….
Legal News Coverage Ellen Whittemore, the General Counsel of Wynn Resorts, is stepping down from her position after a notable tenure marked by significant legal and governance reforms within the company. In a statement, CEO Craig Billings noted, “Ellen Whittemore was, in the truest sense, the right person at the right time to help lead…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday published their findings of systemic abuse by the police department in Lexington, Mississippi. Lexington, a small rural town with a population of around 1,600, is situated in one of the nation’s poorest counties. The median household income in Lexington is approximately $39,000, roughly half the national average….
Legal News A New York federal judge has ruled that a former associate at Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, who claimed she was terminated for protesting against sexual harassment, will have her lawsuit heard in state court. The judge also rejected the firm’s attempt to move the dispute to arbitration. For further details, refer to…
Legal News Article A former associate attorney with Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP can pursue in state court her claim that she was fired for reporting a fellow lawyer’s sexual harassment, a federal judge ruled. The decision by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York is a significant development concerning the…
A recent series of federal court decisions is expanding the reach of the #MeToo-era Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, allowing workers to bypass arbitration not just for sexual harassment claims but also for intertwined non-sexual harassment claims. This development sets the stage for a potential legal showdown over the original intent…
Legal News New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal has raised the suggestion that allowing elected officials to fundraise for their legal defenses might be a prudent mechanism to alleviate the burden on taxpayers. This proposal comes in response to the substantial $25.4 million in ongoing legal costs associated with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his…
Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. In a recent legal development, Alina Habba, one of former President Donald Trump’s defense attorneys, has reached a settlement with a former waitress at Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey. The woman had…
Article In an effort to enhance protections for federal judiciary employees, Democrats in the House and Senate are preparing to reintroduce a bill designed to address issues related to discrimination and sexual harassment. The proposed legislation aims to extend better safeguards to the approximately 30,000 individuals employed by the federal judiciary. Lawmakers behind the initiative…
Trust plays a critical role in the sustained success of firms, yet it often eludes the quantifiable metrics commonly tracked by corporate departments. Legal departments, being the crossroads where numerous issues are adjudicated, have unique opportunities to either cultivate or undermine that trust. Columnist Rob Chesnut, drawing on his extensive background in legal and ethical…
A high-profile sexual harassment trial against the judiciary has highlighted challenges related to remote proceedings, specifically concerning transcript accuracy. Over two weeks, U.S. District Judge William Young presided from a Boston courtroom, while lawyers and witnesses participated remotely from North Carolina. The trial underscored the difficulties court reporters face in capturing remote dialogue accurately. According…
Legal Article Recent developments in a high-profile sexual harassment trial highlight the challenges of conducting legal proceedings remotely. Errors in transcripts have become a significant issue, raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of court records in virtual settings. These errors can potentially skew the understanding and outcomes of cases, putting greater emphasis on the…
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) has been embroiled in a legal battle involving one of its in-house lawyers, Andowah Newton, who testified about sexual harassment before Congress. Recently, a significant development occurred when the US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that LVMH cannot compel Newton to arbitrate her job…