Summary: Law firm Chadbourne & Parke had a $100 million class action gender discrimination lawsuit brought against them by former and current female partners.
A group of female attorneys from Chadbourne & Parke are alleging gender discrimination in a lawsuit brought against the firm for $100 million. The female attorney, represented by attorneys at Sanford Heisler, filed the lawsuit as a class action.
Lead plaintiff Kerrie Campbell and around 26 current and former female partners of the law firm are listed on the suit. They filed it in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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The lawsuit claims that the female partners were excluded from positions within the firm that held decision-making authority, were paid less than their male colleagues, and received smaller bonuses than their male colleagues. The Sanford Heisler attorneys state that the management committee at Chadbourne is comprised of five men that control pay and promotion factors.
Campbell claims she was underpaid $2.7 million. Lead counsel David Sanford said, “Chadbourne & Parke seems to be operating in the dark ages when it comes to gender equality. Chadbourne may talk a good dame about treating its lawyers fairly and equally, but Ms. Campbell’s allegations shows that at Chadbourne gender discrimination is standard operating procedure.”
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Chadbourne denies the allegations and claims the firm is committed to the advancement of women. Campbell was asked to leave the firm because her practice did not match with the firm. Their statement read, “Ms. Campbell’s complaint against the firm is riddled with falsehoods and, once the facts are fully presented, the firm in confident that her allegations will be shown to be completely baseless.”
Do you think there are other firms that have a tendency to favor the men over their women partners? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about other firm’s that have faced gender discrimination lawsuits, read Gender Discrimination Suit Filed against WilmerHale.
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