Description:
In this installment of our Double Play series, our two, thirty-minute programs cover what #Metoo means for you and crisis management in a post-#MeToo environment. Recent public campaigns against sexual harassment and assault (e.g., #MeToo, Time’s Up) reflect a sea change in how individuals make allegations, how the media covers them, and how the general public views the remedy or response. This program provides practical and actionable advice for companies on how to construct a workplace environment that rejects sexual harassment. The #MeToo movement has dramatically raised the stakes for companies facing allegations of workplace sexual harassment, which can quickly turn into a public relations crisis that needs to be managed. This program provides timely, valuable and practical advice for counsel facing the many challenges associated with investigating, defending and managing crises arising from workplace sexual harassment claims.
Speakers:
Susannah Howard, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, San Francisco, CA
Adam Karr, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Newport Beach, CA
J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, PA
Grace E. Speights, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Washington, D.C.
Susannah is an experienced labor and employment lawyer specializing in a range of employment and labor matters, including wage-and-hour disputes, enforcement of non-compete agreements, background check procedures, employee discipline and termination, discrimination based on age, race, sex, national origin, physical handicap, and related matters. She skillfully defends and represents a variety of clients in a diverse array of industries including the airline, staffing, financial services, technology, and private equity sectors.
Adam represents clients in class action and individual litigation, arbitrations, and before state and federal agencies, principally in labor and employment-related claims. Adam practices before state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels, and has represented clients in a broad range of disputes, including wage and hour matters, contract disputes, non-compete and trade secret litigation, employee benefits claims, and matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act and Railway Labor Act. Adam also has represented clients in claims of employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, and disputes under the family and medical leave laws. Adam provides preventive advice to clients on an ongoing basis and assists clients in handling employment related investigations, employee termination and discipline decisions, drafting employment agreements and policies, layoffs, and compliance with all aspects of labor and employment laws. He also provides assistance on labor and employment law issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions. Adam has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a Top Labor & Employment Lawyer and by Law360 as one of 10 Rising Stars in the United States in the area of labor and employment law.
Gordon Cooney has experience with a broad variety of commercial and civil litigation, with a particular focus on defending class actions in state and federal court. As leader of Morgan Lewis’s litigation practice, Gordon leads and oversees the firm’s litigation operations across the globe. He represents clients in matters throughout the United States in consumer, product liability, deceptive trade practice, toxic tort, RICO, antitrust, and securities class actions. His practice also includes substantial commercial, business, and merger and acquisition (M&A) litigation.
Grace handles high profile and high stakes workplace matters for many clients and is often called upon by clients for crisis management assistance. She defends clients against employment discrimination claims—particularly class claims—and claims of discrimination in public accommodations. Grace represents clients in systemic investigations and litigation brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). She also counsels on best practices for corporate diversity initiatives. Grace is the leader of the firm’s labor and employment practice, managing more than 250 lawyers across the firm.