Biglaw

Quinn Emanuel Benchslapped For Saying Use Of 'N-Word' Was Bad Joke

The judge wasn't particularly amused by this 'joke.'

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Her Honor is displeased.

I was baffled by the description of this as a joke. I just don’t understand the humor. I don’t understand how someone thought it was humorous. I don’t understand why Quinn Emanuel is taking the position that it was a joke.

I was surprised [that the firm] attempted to cast the use of the N-word as a poor attempt at humor or a bad pun. Remarks such as those are unacceptable in a civilized conversation. When they happen in a workplace, particularly when they come from a supervisor, not only are they unacceptable, they can be a basis for civil liability.

— Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York, in remarks made from the bench as she refused to dismiss a former secretary’s discrimination complaint against Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The plaintiff in this case, Spencer Marin, claims that the firm’s director of trial logistics called a black staff member a “re-n***er” after the staff member had second thoughts about sharing her food during a trial in California. Marin alleges that after he complained, he was sent back to New York.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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