Women Lawyers On Guard is inspired by Dovey Johnson Roundtree, who the New York Times called a “barrier-breaking lawyer” upon her death at 104. Reverend Roundtree’s story is one of courage and perseverance, and her bravery in the face of injustice is instructive in today’s challenging times. The picture above is a link to her obituary.
A Minnesota lawyer has advice for firms on the law and best practices to guard against workplace harassment: http://mnbenchbar.com/2018/02/metoo-in-the-law-firm/
Women Lawyers On Guard, Inc. has joined an amicus brief in Weckhorst v. Kansas State University, currently pending before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case arises from the rape of two students. The university refused to investigate or otherwise address their reports, citing the fact that the women were raped in school-recognized fraternities but outside the campus boundary. In response to the suit, the university moved to dismiss on these same grounds, and also claimed that the school could not be liable because the students were not further harassed as a result of its deliberate indifference.
The brief argues that because the school was made aware of the sexually violent conduct by its students and refused to investigate the conduct, the school was deliberately indifferent to the claims of the victimized students. The brief argues that when sexual violence goes unresolved, it creates a hostile environment for the victims, who often end up suffering academically.
The brief can be found here: https://nwlc-ciw49tixgw5lbab.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Final-Brief-with-ECF-Header.pdf
WLG looks forward to attending a panel on Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Legal Workplace. Details here https://www.wcl.american.edu/news-events/events/detail/6082/ and below:
February 19, 2018 | 6 – 8pm
AU Washington College of Law
4300 Nebraska Ave NW
NT01
Co-Sponsored by the Women and the Law Program, the Women’s Law Association, and the American Constitution Society of American University Washington College of Law, and the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Featuring:
Emily Martin, Vice President for Education and Workplace Justice, the National Women’s Law Center
Llezlie Green Coleman, Professor at AU Washington College of Law
Dr. Mary Kuntz, Partner, Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch
Cara E. Greene, Partner, Outten & Golden, LLP
Registration is free at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.
1 CLE credit will be applied for as requested ($55).
For further information, contact:
Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education
(202)274-4075 or [email protected]
Women Lawyers On Guard, Inc. has joined an amicus brief by the National Women’s Law Center that highlights the importance of the fair share rule in reducing the wage gap and the importance of public employment and union advocacy for women in the workplace.
The brief argues that public sector professions provide important career opportunities for women and people of color, who often face special barriers to entry in various professions. Because women and people of color comprise a significant proportion of public sector workers and union members, the fair share rule (which requires all public sector employees to pay a share of union expenses) plays a key role in enabling unions to create economic opportunities for all members who benefit from union negotiations, including increasing opportunities for earning parity (reducing the wage gap). The brief points to a wealth of data to show that women and people of color in employment settings covered by unions enjoy greater pay equity and increased benefits than their non-union counterparts.
The brief is available at http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/briefs/NWLC-LeadershipConference-Janus-Brief.pdf.
