Carney Shegerian of Shegerian & Associates, Inc., a Santa Monica-based litigation law firm specializing in employee rights, is representing a woman who claims she was repeatedly groped and harassed by her supervisor and managing partner at the law firm where she worked as a legal secretary.
The woman, referred to in court documents as “Jane Roe” to protect her privacy, is scheduled to face her former employer, the Law Offices of Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez, in court later this month. (Case no. BC 560465)
“During Jane Roe's employment at the Law Offices of Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez, a national workers compensation defense firm, she was repeatedly sexually harassed by her supervisor and managing partner, attorney Matthew Kearl,” explained Shegerian. “The harassment began with Kearl groping and poking the sides of Roe's waist, making inappropriate comments that she should interview at a local strip club, and other unwelcome touching. Over time, this behavior escalated to the point where Kearl grabbed and squeezed our client’s breast, and forced his hand onto her vagina. When she attempted to confront him, he threatened that he would have her fired if she complained.”
The defendants, the Law Offices of Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez and individual defendant, Matthew Kearl, both deny these allegations. The case is set for trial in Department 34 of Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on February 29, 2016.
“This case is actually representative of an issue that has plagued society for far too long,” said Shegerian, who specializes in employee rights. “Men in positions of power making unwanted and illegal sexual advances toward women who are their employees is a huge problem that simply must stop. One would think that at a law firm, of all places, this kind of illegal and unethical behavior would not take place. Unfortunately, these law offices are where our client was subjected to this reprehensible harassment and assault. It’s our job to help her seek justice and hopefully make a public statement that this kind of abuse – in any workplace – cannot be tolerated.”
Shegerian, who was named Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2013, has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He has won 73 jury trials, including 31 seven figure verdicts representing employees.
Located Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators (Carney Shegerian, Trial Lawyer of the Year Award winner for 2013, has won 73 jury trials in his career, including 31 seven figure verdicts), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com
Media Contact: To arrange interviews with Carney Shegerian regarding this case, please contact Paul Williams, 310/569-0023, paulwilliams@shegerianlaw.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160218006439/en/
Contacts:
Paul Williams, 310/569-0023
paulwilliams@shegerianlaw.com
