Law Practice Management and Technology
The Bottom Line Volume 34, No. 1, February 2013
Content
- Coach's Corner: Associates Should Take Charge of Their Business EducationBy Ed Poll
- Law Firm Morale — Much More than Smiley Faces
- Message from the ChairBy Perry L. Segal
- Message from the Guest EditorBy Neil Pedersen
- New California Employment Laws Effective on Passing in 2012 or on January 1, 2013 for all California Employers
- New Member Benefits from the Lpmt Section
- The True Cost of Hiring – and Terminating – a Lawyer
- Preventing Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation in California Law Offices
Preventing Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation in California Law Offices
By Michael C. Robinson, Esq.Sessions & Kimball, LLC
Introduction
Attorneys and law offices are sometimes subject to claims for employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, despite being owned and operated by members of the bar with extensive knowledge of the law. Law firms are just as susceptible to employment law claims as other types of employers in California.
In Weeks v. Baker & McKenzie,1 a law firm was subject to a multimillion dollar verdict for a partner’s sexual harassment of a secretary. This verdict demonstrates that law firm employers must be aware of the ever-evolving laws regarding discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, and must be constantly vigilant to ensure that these do not occur in their offices.