Biglaw

Biglaw Partner Accuses Firm Of 'Callous Gaslighting' In $20 Million Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

The complaint alleges the firm protects harassers at the expense of victims.

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Sexual harassment – dictionary definitionJulia Rix, a former equity partner at the Polsinelli law firm, filed a blockbuster lawsuit against the firm and two senior partners, Gabriel Yomi Dabiri and Dov H. Scherzer, alleging she was the victim of pervasive sexual harassment over the course of her time at the firm. The complaint, available in full below, paints a picture of rampant harassment, indeed, Rix alleges she was “‘warned’ about the prevalence of sexual harassment of women at Polsinelli.” And details a “workplace rife with mistreatment and impropriety—and a culture indifferent to the ‘situation’ given this ‘tone at the top.'”

The complaint, filed September 15th in Washington, D.C., civil court, goes on to allege, “Polsinelli’s callous gaslighting of Rix in response to her claims of sexual harassment is shocking—but not surprising.” “Indeed, the firm’s leadership is well known among its employees for turning a blind eye to discriminatory treatment of protected personnel, condoning sexual harassment, and promoting individuals with few skills other than inappropriate workplace relationships to positions of power.”

Which is very different than the public image the firm cultivates:

In its sanctimonious marketing, the Firm describes itself as a paragon of professionalism and a model community. Indeed, the firm’s tagline is “[w]hat a law firm should be” and its homepage extolls the firm as an enterprise in “humanity, compassion, and true partnership.” In reality, when confronted, as it often is, with allegations of workplace abuse and discrimination, Polsinelli hides behind layers of confidentiality agreements and forced private dispute resolution provisions. The firm protects its leadership at the expense of victims and correcting the underlying issues.

Rix alleges that after she was hired by the firm, the defendant partners began making “unprofessional demands” of her. She says, “They employed bait-and-switch tactics, promising Rix the chance to discuss case strategy or client development—only to use the ensuing meeting as an opportunity to harass her.”

Over nearly two years at Polsinelli, Rix was repeatedly hounded by the older senior partners to join them for after-hours drinks, hotel “meetings,” and forced to endure salacious comments about her appearance. In fact, two older, married partners insisted on late-night rendezvous, communicated their sexual interest in her, and forced unwanted physical intimacy.

And in “one sordid episode during a work trip, a senior, married partner schemed his way into Rix’s hotel room and kissed her without her consent—all of which he admitted in a barrage of text messages.”

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The filing alleges Rix’s practice wasn’t supported by the influential Dabiri and Scherzer when she wouldn’t go along with the harassment. As a result, her status at the firm was impacted.

Rix’s fears became a reality when, following her performance review, Polsinelli stripped Rix of her equity shareholder status and docked her income. While the Firm cited Rix’s alleged lackluster client originations and productivity, other senior leaders privately acknowledged its failure to adequately support Rix’s practice. Indeed, the lack of support and access thwarted Rix’s ability to meet these performance metrics. And, retaliatory criticism by the rebuffed senior shareholders fueled Polsinelli’s decisions.

The complaint further alleges that when she reported the harassment to human resources, she was fired from the firm, without an investigation.

Rix is seeking $20 million for her claims of breach of contract, violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, violations of Washington, D.C., human rights law, and infliction of emotional distress.

Polsinelli has issued the following statement:

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We have been made aware of a lawsuit against the firm and two of our attorneys, filed by a former shareholder of the firm whose employment was terminated earlier this year. We take allegations of harassment and discrimination very seriously at the firm and have robust reporting procedures in place for such claims. We have and remain committed to providing a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and will respond to the lawsuit accordingly.

Rix’s attorney, William A. Brewer III, of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, said, “Like many other women in the legal industry, our client claims she was subjected to unwanted sexual harassment at the hands of senior leaders in the firm. Our client believes that Polsinelli not only failed to protect her but revictimized her by failing to properly investigate her allegations. When our client bravely stepped forward to report the abuse she endured, she claims the firm did the unimaginable: immediately terminated her employment. She filed this matter to lay bare a culture of harassment that has victimized many in the workplace and has been intentionally shielded from public view. That ends today.”

2023-CAB-005745

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. 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 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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