Happy Shabbos! Schoenfeld v. Allen & Oy-vey-ry Is Settling
Today is Friday, so this news is timely. Some of you may recall the case of Schoenfeld v. Allen & Overy. Norman Schoenfeld, an observant Jewish lawyer who once worked in A&O’s New York office, sued the elite “Magic Circle” law firm, alleging that it discriminated and retaliated against him as a result of his observing the Sabbath.
For counsel, Schoenfeld retained Anne C. Vladeck, the superstar plaintiffs-side employment lawyer who successfully represented Anucha Browne Sanders in her sexual harassment case against Isiah Thomas and MSG. After Vladeck and Sanders won at trial, the parties settled the case — including all appeals — for a cool $11.5 million.
Back to the Schoenfeld case. Sources close to the case inform us that the parties have resolved the case, and it will be formally closed in the near future. It hasn’t been dismissed yet, as you can see when you check the S.D.N.Y. docket (1:07-cv-11431-HB), where the last entry is the pretrial scheduling order. But the parties have an agreement in principle to settle, and it will be papered up soon.
We reached Todd Girshon of Jackson Lewis, counsel to Allen & Overy, by phone. He offered a “no comment” (although we detected a faint hint of amusement in his voice as he said it). We’ve left telephone and email messages for Anne Vladeck, counsel to Norman Schoenfeld. We haven’t heard back from her yet, but we’ll let you know if and when we do.
We must confess that, although we’re happy to see the parties resolve their differences, we’re sad that we won’t get to write more about this case. As you may recall, when the story first broke, we thought that it might turn into “the Jewish version of Charney v. Sullivan & Cromwell.” It looks like that won’t be happening. No tales of “bending over,” boiled hard drives, or boasts of representing Nazis — just a quiet settlement. What began with a bang has ended with a whimper.
In other Allen & Overy news, the New York office has a new managing partner. Congratulations to Kevin O’Shea, who assumed leadership of the New York office effective May 1. Presumably he’s glad to have this lawsuit behind the firm as he takes the reins at A&O - NY.
Update: The firm has confirmed news of the imminent settlement. See here.
Earlier: Lawsuit of the Day: The Jewish Version of Charney v. S&C?
Schoenfeld v. Allen & Oy-vey-ry: We’ve Got Close to Bupkis
Schoenfeld v. Allen & Oy-vey-ry: A&O’s Answer
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2008 award for worst incorporation of yiddish in a pun
After Vladeck and Sanders won at trial, the parties settled the case for a cool $11.5 million.
As I am learning not a god damm thing at my nontiered school, would someone care to explain winning at trial and then settling? no 3rd tier jokes please.. I need to be very clear when I repeat ATL lines at cocktail parties.
1:32, You can have a bifurcated trial. Liability first, then damages.
1:32: you settle to get out of having to go through the (inevitable) appeal
Appeals?
Jesus.
Looks like Lat clarified that passage: "the parties settled the case -- including all appeals -- for a cool $11.5 million."
Yeah, I didn't read the linked articles before my comment -- just seemed like the most obvious reason to settle after trial to me.
Hey, does anyone out there know where my pants are?
If anybody would like to create a list, perhaps in the community section, of how firms treat religious holidays (vacation time, personal time, etc.), the effort would be much appreciated.
What was the dispute in this case?
let me echo 2:15's request-- some firms make you use vacation days for religious holidays, others (read: jewier) make them unpaid holidays.
O'Shea looks like a fun guy
At my firm all Religious holidays (jewish and otherwise) are paid holidays. Never an issue to get off those days.
And in an amazing coincidence, Mr. O'Shea is a former partner at Paul, Hastings!
2:15 and 3:20 - Once you graduate from law school you'll realize that how firms treat religious holidays doesn't matter in the slightest. A firm could have a policy giving you 18 weeks vacation per year but that doesn't mean you'll be able to take it. You can always get the days off, but whether it's PTO ir irrelevant.
I suppose there's some benefit to being paid out for that extra day or 2 when you leave, but don't let that effect your decision-making re firms.
agree with 5pm -- you can take the time off, but that stack of doc reviews will still be there when you get back, so who gives a crap?
There are religious holidays? Hmm, none on my firm's holiday list...
Forgot to add that while a Catholic, worked on Christmas Eve/Christmas on several occasions. After trying to take leave on first occasion so to get to Mass with family, I learned to just shut up and do my job.
Orthodox Jewsdo not have that option 7
:37.
7:37, are you no longer a Catholic?
Sounds like A&O are/were a bunch of nasty backbiting assholes. Fuck them! I hope Shoenenberger or whatever got enough to retire and celebrate whatever the hell he celebrates.