A former Polsinelli PC partner, who alleges senior attorneys sexually harassed her, has implored a federal judge to resist the firm’s request for dismissal of the case or for it to be transferred to private arbitration. Julia Rix, the partner in question, joined the law firm’s Washington office in 2021 and lost her job two…
Mueller Co. LLC, a major US manufacturer and seller of gas and water distribution products, and IH Services, Inc., a firm providing cleaning services in Mueller facilities, have agreed to pay a sum of $150,000 and facilitate additional relief to resolve claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Equal…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has once more addressed a reoccurrence in the federal court system where a Texas judge has been found to penalize lawyers or parties in a case too readily. This marks at least the third instance in which this issue has been raised. The latest episode involves…
In October, several developments observed in the employment sphere headline the global legal sector. Following a comparatively quiet summer period, a series of noteworthy updates surfaced last month. Notably, a new law emerged demanding employers take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, however, this legislation is not yet in effect. One of…
Polsinelli PC, along with one of its shareholders, has requested a district court in Washington D.C. to dismiss certain allegations and force arbitration of other claims presented by a former equity shareholder. The allegations form part of a significant lawsuit, holding $20 million in penalties, related to sexual harassment and retaliation against the former stakeholder….
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently updated its proposed guidance on harassment in the workplace. This updated proposal reflects significant developments in both relevant case law and societal trends, many of which can be traced back to the #MeToo movement and the rising influence of social media. The commission initially released this guidance…
In a recent dispute, Polsinelli PC, a prominent national law firm, has filed a motion to dismiss an ex-partner’s sexual harassment lawsuit, alleging the claims are beyond the specified statutory obligations of Missouri law as dictated by her employment contract. The firm’s legal team stated that the accusations leveled by the ex-partner are both “legally…
Legal professionals should take note of new developments involving Weis Markets, Inc., a grocery store chain with wide prevalence throughout the Mid-Atlantic and headquartered in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. A recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accuses the grocery chain of not only subjecting an employee to sexual harassment but also allegedly…
The law firm Baker McKenzie has terminated the contract of Stefano Mariani, a tax attorney who is facing allegations of sexual assault. Mariani’s former colleague, identified only as X, alleges that the senior attorney sexually assaulted her during his tenure at the Hong Kong firm Deacons. The abuse was initially non-physical, with Mariani belittling her…
In an unexpected ruling, the British Columbia Court of Appeal (BCCA) upheld a lower court’s finding regarding a case of sexual harassment within the workplace, which has sparked significant discussion in legal circles. The case, entitled Café La Foret Ltd. v. Cho, 2023 BCCA 354, concerns an employee who was found to have sexually harassed…
In a recent development, the federal judiciary is seeking to utilize a newly discovered series of covert recordings in the court case of a former North Carolina public defender. This comes as part of an attempt to contest a sexual harassment lawsuit she has filed. This former public defender is seeking her job back alongside…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has presented its Proposed Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. This new direction comes in response to evolving legal environments and societal shifts, most notably seen in the Bostock v. Clayton County decision, the #MeToo movement, the rise in remote work, adjustments to abortion rights, and new methods…
Up until November 1, employers have the opportunity to submit comments on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed update to enforcement guidance on workplace harassment. Notwithstanding possible clarifications by the commission in response to public feedback, it’s unlikely to see any substantial changes, making now an apt time to fully understand and apply the…
In a recent development, Polsinelli PC has sought to transfer a $20 million sexual harassment lawsuit from a former equity shareholder to a D.C. federal court. The plaintiff alleges both sexual harassment and retaliation. This motion was officially submitted to the court on Friday. Polsinelli’s move appears to be based on two main arguments. First,…
The applicability of Title IX in schools extends beyond sports, affecting other areas including dress codes – a point that’s being increasingly discussed among legal experts. A recent opinion piece published on JD Supra addresses the matter in the context of “morality codes” in schools. While the article provides limited information due to its personal-blog…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has struck back against allegations of attorney misconduct in a sexual harassment lawsuit involving a North Carolina public defender. The claims revolve around the high-stakes defense of the suit, where questions were raised about secret recordings. This unexpected twist saw the departure of the public defender’s esteemed legal team, which…
A former partner from the Hong Kong law firm, Deacons, who later moved to Baker McKenzie, has been accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague. The alleged actions took place while the accused, Stefano Mariani, was still with Deacons. According to a proceeding in the Hong Kong District Court, the nameless female lawyer lodged…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced a proposed update to their workplace harassment guidance, the first such overhaul since 1999. The Proposed EEOC Guidance outlines recent legal developments and provides pointers on how to address harassment in the modern workplace. Foremost among these updates are guidelines pertaining to harassment in remote work…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) unveiled its Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 last month, setting out a framework of enforcement priorities that is projected to shape its activities in the coming years. This information is crucial for employers seeking to align their practices and protocols with existing employment regulations and…
In a recent development, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has taken a markedly different approach towards neutral work rules, generating significant implications for corporations and law firms worldwide. The shift appears to be a reversal of their previous stance. Full Story This altered perspective impacts a range of policies present in various work manuals….
On October 2, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) unveiled its proposed guidance on workplace harassment claims, aptly titled “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace”. The move underlines the regulatory body’s dedication to shaping a robust framework that thoroughly addresses workplace harassment while providing adequate protection to employees across sectors. Details on…
On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the EEOC) released its draft guidance concerning harassment in the workplace, reflecting the evolving landscape of employment law. The guidance notably incorporates changes in the law and societal shifts, offering valuable insights for legal professionals navigating these new territories. The updated EEOC draft guidance was…
In a divided decision, the en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit has made a significant ruling suggesting that a university could face liability under Title IX in the event of sexual harassment occurring off-campus. If the alleged perpetrator demonstrates that the school exercised “substantial control” over the context in which the conduct occurred, the…
In recent legal news, Mexico Restaurant, a Honolulu-based establishment renowned for its Mexican cuisine, has reached an agreement to settle a sexual and racial harassment lawsuit for the sum of $227,500, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Visit here to read the official release. As reported by the…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently targeted The Cleaning Authority-Fox Valley, an eastern Wisconsin cleaning service provider, alleging breaches of federal law. The suit alleges that the company created a hostile working environment for female employees and later dismissed them on the grounds of their opposition to sexual harassment. The EEOC’s task is…