The world’s largest law firm appears to be having a tough time shaking its image as an inhospitable place for women to work.
The firm is Chicago-based legal giant Baker & McKenzie. It and one of its top rainmakers-until his resignation two weeks ago-are steeling themselves against separate sexual-harassment suits brought by employees in the firm’s Palo Alto, Calif., office.
Lawyers were in Chicago last week for depositions in connection with the suits, which were filed in California on behalf of Mary Rossman, an associate at Baker & McKenzie from April 1990 until March 1991, and Rena Weeks, a former secretary.
Named as defendants are the firm and Martin Greenstein, a former partner and intellectual-property law specialist who was one of the firm’s top billers.
Weeks, who worked for Greenstein briefly in mid-1991, contends her boss made sexually suggestive comments and once grabbed her breast. Rossman’s suit includes charges that Greenstein asked her questions about her underclothing and tried to kiss her against her will.
Weeks’ suit is scheduled for trial Dec. 6. A trial date for Rossman is expected to be set later this month.
Greenstein declined to comment but has denied the charges in court documents. In a deposition, Greenstein said his billings ranked in the top quarter of the firm’s approximately 500 partners.
Lawyer William Joseph Linklater, speaking for Baker & McKenzie in Chicago, said, “We are dismayed that we are involved in the lawsuit. But we will certainly continue to vigorously defend all charges against the firm.”
The lawsuits were filed by lawyers Alan B. Exelrod and Philip Edward Kay, solo practioners who have offices in San Francisco.
The complaints charge that Baker & McKenzie did nothing to curb Greenstein’s behavior, allowing his allegedly harassing and discriminatory practices to go unchecked.
Still pending in Cook County Circuit Court is a breach-of-contract suit filed two years ago by partner Ingrid Beall, who alleges that Baker & McKenzie and several of its lawyers had denied her work and clients because of her gender and age.
Taking the cautious approach
More Top Picks Best Smart Pens For Note Taking
Tough talk about fighting crime is a given when a U.S. attorney takes office in Chicago and meets for the first time with the media.
But that’s not what was heard from Jim Burns, the newly appointed chief federal prosecutor. Not now, anyway.
Instead, with questions still unanswered about the extent of the problems with the prosecution of El Rukn gang members, Burns projected the image Monday-his first day on the job-of a cautious man treading on a minefield not of his making.
Responding to the Rukn flap, involving reports of drug and sexual misconduct by some gang informants, he said his first priority will be to rejuvenate the prosecutor’s office, assuring that its work is consistently good, fair and on “an even keel.”
“The idea is to move forward,” he said.
In a surprise move, Burns announced that his predecessor, interim U.S. Atty. Michael Shepard, had agreed to his request to stay on as a “troubleshooter.” Shepard rejected for now offers of other public or private employment. As expected, Scott Lassar, until this week a fellow partner of Burns at Keck, Mahin & Cate, was named first assistant U.S. attorney.
– Events. Eight former U.S. attorneys in Chicago will be honored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago at a reception Nov. 18 in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. The group’s annual “Bill of Rights in Action” awards will be presented by former Atty. Gen. Edward Levi to Judge William J. Bauer of the federal appeals court here; former Gov. James R. Thompson; Samuel K. Skinner, president of Commonwealth Edison Co.; and lawyers Thomas A. Foran, Thomas P. Sullivan, Dan. K. Webb, Anton R. Valukas and Fred Foreman. … Children’s rights will be among the topics discussed this week as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers holds its annual meeting Thursday through Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Pl. … Paul Strauss of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland takes over Nov. 16 as new president of the reform-minded Chicago Council of Lawyers at the group’s annual meeting, at the Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Drive. Strauss succeeds Barry A. Miller, of Miller, Shakman, Hamilton, Kurtzon & Schlifke.