Carney Shegerian, trial lawyer and founder of the Los Angeles-based employment discrimination firm Shegerian & Associates, released a statement regarding the sexual harassment complaint filed by Shegerian & Associates against Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Steward, P.C. The complaint was filed by a Mexican-American, gay male who was formerly employed by the law firm. After being sexually harassed for years by a partner at the firm, the plaintiff felt he had no other choice but to quit so he could escape the intolerable working conditions.

“Ogletree Deakins is an employment law firm that seeks justice on behalf of people who have been discriminated against and harassed in the workplace,” Shegerian says. “However, the plaintiff’s experience makes it very clear that the partners at this firm certainly do not practice what they preach.”

“The plaintiff was repeatedly targeted by a partner at Ogletree Deakins, who made inappropriate sexual comments and shared sexually explicit stories and videos with him on multiple occasions,” Shegerian states. “After sharing his concerns with another partner at the firm, the plaintiff endured nine months of retaliation.”

“As if matters could not get worse, the plaintiff was also forced to fight for equal pay, which he was denied because of his race and sexuality,” Shegerian continues.

“Sadly, this is not the first discrimination complaint filed against Ogletree,” Shegerian says. “But hopefully, this complaint forces the partners at this firm to finally recognize that this behavior will no longer be tolerated.”