Lax Vetting Allows Harassers to Thrive in the Legal Industry

Much like in other industries, law firms are not immune to sexual harassment. Unfortunately, law-firm management can be reluctant to discipline partners who are accused of sexual harassment especially if they generate big revenue for the firm. Many times, harassers are in powerful positions making it unlikely that the harassment will be reported and even… Read More

How do I know if I have a sexual harassment case?

There is not a prescribed list of things that constitute sexually harassing behavior; however, there are a number of factors to consider in making the determination for whether behavior constitutes actionable sexual harassment. To establish actionable sexual harassment, the conduct must be “unwelcome.” In Henson v. City of Dundee, the 11th Cir. explained that conduct… Read More

Severance Agreements in Alabama

When an employee is terminated, some employers will offer the discharged worker a severance package including pay and benefits. A severance agreement or separation agreement is the document that sets out the terms and conditions of that package. This documents usually states what the employee is receiving in exchange for providing the employer a release… Read More

Reputation v. Character – Why that question matters in employment law.

John Wooden, one of the greatest coaches of all time, was famously quoted saying that “your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”  Often times companies and individuals running those companies are obsessed with their “reputation.”  They spend substantial amounts of money and time cultivating an… Read More

Vicarious Liability: Can My Employer Be Held Liable?

In many cases, clients wonder whether or not their boss or company can be held liable for the transgressions of the co-worker or supervisor who harmed them. Under the theory of respondeat superior, in order to establish vicarious liability between an employer and the actions of their worker, the plaintiff has to prove that there… Read More

“Regarded as Disabled” under the ADA

In November of last year, an Illinois federal judge ruled in favor of the EEOC in a case against Amstead Rail Company. The court held that the company discriminated against applicants by requiring a medical screening which predicted the potential for applicants to develop carpal tunnel. Amstead screened applicants who had already accepted conditional employment… Read More