In The Media

The Southern District of New York has denied Fox News Network’s motion for summary judgment in relation to Filippatos PLLC client, Andrew Delancey’s, sexual harassment claims under the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).  The court held that there was a triable issue of fact as to whether Justin Wells, a former producer on the On the Record with Greta Van Susteren and Tucker Carlson Tonight shows on Fox News, sufficiently exercised “managerial or supervisory responsibility” over Mr. Delancey to hold Fox News liable for sexually assaulting Mr. Delancey inside his (Mr. Wells’) apartment back in 2008 under the NYCHRL, N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-107(13)(b). The court held that the evidence showed that Mr. Wells had “authority to direct [Mr. Delancey’s] daily work activities” by contacting him “about two times a week with assignments for him to complete” that were “time sensitive” and often “require[d] immediate turnaround.” Notably, the court held that Mr. Wells exercised managerial or supervisory responsibility over Mr. Delancey even though Mr. Delancey’s “formal duties” did not include working with Mr.  Wells in any capacity, and even though Mr. Wells had no “authority to promote, reassign, or significantly alter the scope of Delancey’s work responsibilities” or “fire him.” This decision greatly expands the scope of the NYCHRL, one of the most liberal and broadly construed anti-discrimination statutes in the U.S.

Filippatos Partner Tanvir H. Rahman led the Filippatos team who secured this victory, and is committed to bringing that same level of intensity and involvement to secure the rights and privileges of all employees in the workplace.

Filippatos PLLC and Mesidor PLLC represent former BDO USA Managing Partner Eleni Lagos in a federal defamation lawsuit against an attorney and the law firms representing BDO in litigation related to her termination. The lawsuit alleges that defense counsel made false and damaging statements about Lagos that harmed her professional reputation and caused significant emotional distress. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks more than $75 million in damages.

Managing Partner & Attorney Erica T. Healey-Kagan was a speaker at the Westchester Women’s Summit, sharing how she decided to become an attorney, describing her career, and what led her to joining Filippatos PLLC. The Westchester Women’s Summit is the largest celebration of Women’s History Month in Westchester County.

Attorney Erica T. Healey-Kagan represented Filippatos PLLC on the podcast We Need a Revolution. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks, the show covers topics such as income inequality, social activism, and fighting corruption. Erica appeared on the show to discuss the legal landscape for transgender individuals in the workplace and the court system.

Check out the full interview on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

Filippatos PLLC is representing Eleni Tserpelis, also known as Eleni Lagos, in a lawsuit against her former employer, BDO, the accounting giant. Lagos claims that BDO fired her after manufacturing performance issues because she took a leave of absence to care for her son after he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Lagos’ lawsuit claims that BDO discriminated against her based on her sex and caregiver status under Title VII. Lagos’ complaint states that BDO also violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and New York state and city human rights laws. Lagos’ claim also details disparate treatment between her situation and male coworkers in similar scenarios.