Law Firms

Associate who told partners of his 'superior legal mind' loses appeal

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An associate who was fired after seeking more responsibility in an email proclaiming his “superior legal mind” has lost an appeal of his $77 million suit against Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman.

In a two-sentence opinion, New York’s Appellate Division, First Department, upheld dismissal of the wrongful-termination suit filed by Gregory Berry, the New York Law Journal reports.

The court said Berry could not sue because he had signed a release. The document was part of a $27,000 severance agreement. Berry had contended he wasn’t bound by the release because he received the money 15 days late and the firm shorted him $600, the story says.

Berry’s email had read, in part: “After working here for several months now it has become clear that I have as much experience and ability as an associate many years my senior, as much skill writing, and a superior legal mind to most I have met.”

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