Biglaw

The Biglaw Firm Trying To Capitalize On The #MeToo Movement

Quinn Emanuel will be repping the victims of sexual harassment.

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Quinn Emanuel has decided that the #MeToo movement is far from over and the firm is making that new reality a part of their business model. The firm recently announced a plaintiff-side practice group representing the victims of sexual harassment and discrimination, led by partners Manisha Sheth and Diane Cafferata.

While other Biglaw firms have defense practices in this area, or have expanded to include investigation and workplace training services, Quinn stands alone in Biglaw with this plaintiff-focused group. And you better believe that’s something founder John Quinn is proud of:

“Quinn Emanuel’s entry into this practice area is a watershed event. We are the only major AmLaw 100 firm that is actively promoting these plaintiff-side representations,” added Quinn Emanuel founder John B. Quinn. “As with our other practice areas, our defense side representations will allow us to anticipate arguments, defenses, and strategies that may be employed by defendants in these types of cases. The firm expects to partner with other firms and pay referral fees as it develops this practice.”

And the firm’s announcement also foreshadowed their handling of shareholder derivative lawsuits on the basis sexual harassment claims:

Litigation of sexual harassment suits is not limited to direct actions brought by victims against perpetrators and their employers. In fact, courts have seen a dramatic upswing in the number of shareholder derivative suits brought against a company’s board of directors based on its failure to act after learning about complaints of sexual harassment made by an employee. Derivative cases can be brought, for example, on the grounds that corporate management committed waste or breached their fiduciary duties by approving settlements with the victims. Shareholders have also brought securities fraud claims against a company based on allegations that the company made material misstatements or omissions regarding sexual harassment that affected its stock price.

Yet, at its core, the group is focused on those who are victimized by abusive misconduct:

“The #MeToo Movement has made it clear that this is a pervasive problem, and it occurs across all industries at all levels of employment,” said Quinn Emanuel partner Manisha M. Sheth, who is co-chair of the new practice group. “For decades, some people in positions of power have been allowed to abuse it in a way that harmed women and other protected groups financially, emotionally, and in the worst cases, physically. We look forward to working with these individuals to seek justice and remedy such misconduct.”

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Sheth also noted the litigation expertise Quinn brings to the table, which creates “real credible threat of trial,” that can be used as a pressure point to achieve good results for their clients.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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