BigLaw firm wins partial dismissal of 2 plaintiffs’ claims in gender bias suit

A federal magistrate judge has tossed some claims by two former Morrison & Foerster associates who sued the law firm for alleged gender bias in a would-be class action. The May 1 decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley allows the women a chance to replead their claims, Bloomberg…

May 6, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

Attorney who does pro bono for inmates is new Miss USA

A 27-year-old North Carolina litigation attorney who handles pro bono work for inmates was crowned the new Miss USA on Thursday.

May 3, 2019 9:25 AM CDT

‘Belongingness’ is important to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

In March, I was presented with the ABA Health Law Section’s Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award. I was incredibly honored to receive this particular award. I am, indeed, a champion for diversity and inclusion, and serving as a voice for diversity is very important to me, both personally and…

May 2, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Public defender had PTSD from representing sex offenders, EEOC says in disability suit

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Defender Association of Philadelphia discriminated against a public defender who experienced mental health issues partly from representing sex offenders. The suit, filed April 26 in federal court in Philadelphia, claims that the association violated the Americans with Disabilities…

May 1, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

Nondiscrimination policy at Yale Law School is legal but perhaps should be changed, lawyers say

May 1, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Businesses double down on mandating diversity from outside counsel

As law firms grapple with surging calls for improved diversity in their partnership ranks, corporate clients have joined the chorus and added to the pressure in three ways: the carrot, the stick and moral suasion.

May 1, 2019 1:45 AM CDT

Cake incident was ‘breaking point’ for marginalized general counsel, her $20M bias lawsuit says

The former general counsel of data analytics company ExlService Holdings has filed a lawsuit contending that she was marginalized, micromanaged and disrespected by the company’s overwhelmingly male leadership. Former general counsel and executive vice president Nancy Saltzman alleges that Exl CEO Rohit Kapoor excluded her from career opportunities and gave…

Apr 30, 2019 1:58 PM CDT

New law school survey tracks inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals

In terms of openly gay faculty members, the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, with 14, may have the most, according to a new survey from the National LGBT Bar Association. The Law School Climate Survey uses the term LGBTQ+, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender…

Apr 25, 2019 2:13 PM CDT

For lawyers with autism, the work often pairs up with things they do well

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, attorneys with autism share what it’s like to practice law and live with the disability.

Apr 22, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Federal judge rejects BigLaw firm’s sanctions request in gender bias suit

Corrected: A federal judge in San Francisco has denied Morrison & Foerster’s request for sanctions in a suit claiming “mommy track” gender bias by the law firm. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of San Francisco rejected the motion during arguments Thursday, the Recorder reports. Morrison & Foerster had claimed…

Apr 19, 2019 11:20 AM CDT

Jones Day says gender bias lawsuit painted ‘distorted picture’

Jones Day is responding to a gender bias lawsuit with a statement that cites an “inclusive culture” and a partnership that includes 240 women. A $200 million lawsuit filed April 3 had alleged that the firm has a “fraternity culture” in which female lawyers have to participate if they hope…

Apr 10, 2019 9:01 AM CDT

BigLaw firm seeks sanctions against plaintiff, firm in suit alleging ‘mommy track’ bias

Morrison & Foerster has filed a sanctions motion alleging that the law firm that sued it for alleged “mommy track” gender bias added a plaintiff, despite a warning that she did not have a viable claim. The motion, filed Monday, seeks dismissal of the claim filed by the plaintiff, known…

Apr 10, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Would millennial lawyers trade pay for better work-life balance? A significant percentage say yes

In a new survey of millennial lawyers, 47.1% say workloads have increased since compensation increases for associates rippled across BigLaw. And a significant portion of millennials would be willing to take a pay cut for more time out of the office. The survey asked younger lawyers working in U.S. law…

Apr 4, 2019 3:01 PM CDT

Female lawyers describe ‘fraternity culture’ at Jones Day in $200M sex-bias lawsuit

A $200 million lawsuit filed Wednesday against Jones Day alleges that female associates are discriminated against based on gender, pregnancy and maternity.

Apr 4, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Former federal prosecutor makes history as Chicago’s first black female and openly gay mayor

A former federal prosecutor who was an equity partner at Mayer Brown has been elected the new mayor of Chicago in a landslide victory against her runoff opponent. A “kickass trial lawyer,” in the words of former Illinois Attorney General Ty Fahner, Lori Lightfoot, a lesbian, is the first openly…

Apr 3, 2019 3:07 PM CDT