The ABA Journal notes that an unprecedented wave of law firm layoffs is leading to a second wave of ex-employee lawsuits.
The suits could air “salacious allegations that once remained hidden within firm walls,” according to the Daily Journal. To help avoid suits, law firms need to follow the advice they give their own clients, the story says: Use standard termination procedures, give employees accurate reviews, and hand out generous severance packages.
The article quotes John Barber, a labor and employment partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. “Lawyers are litigious by nature, so law firms should be particularly sensitive to protecting themselves when they lay people off,” he said.
Henry Har, a formerly of at Nixon Peabody, says the culture at the Los Angeles office was racist, sexist and homophobic.
Gary Green, a former associate at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, claims he was fired for giving a negative review to a more junior associate.
Margot Jackson, a former real estate attorney at Allen Matkins, who alleges she was fired because of her race and gender.
Via ABA Journal.