Katz Banks Kumin LLP

The U.S. Department of Labor ordered Asia Pacific Airline to pay over $2 million in damages to KBK client Brant Swigart following an investigation that found that the airline retaliated against Mr. Swigart for raising safety concerns to his supervisors and federal regulators. KBK partner Colleen Coveney, who represented Mr. Swigart, said, “like many whistleblowers, Mr. Swigart’s choice to do the right thing put his career and reputation at risk--- and OSHA’s merit finding is an important step in securing justice for him. Learn more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/envcu_j3 Learn more about KBK's work in other aviation whistleblower cases: https://lnkd.in/etfP5zvF

KBK is pleased to welcome senior associate Dana Bolger to the firm! Congratulations and welcome! Learn more about Ms. Bolger here: https://lnkd.in/eSbfEJgM

Attorney Debra S. Katz and Charlotte Bennett issued statements regarding news that Ms. Bennett has voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York, against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who sexually harassed Ms. Bennett, and the former governor’s top aides Melissa DeRosa, Jill DesRosiers, and Judith Mogul. Ms. Bennett’s case in State court against the State of New York, which was her employer, will proceed. Read the statements ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e9vsS4Za

Boeing whistleblower and KBK client Sam Salehpour joined 60 MINUTES last night to discuss safety concerns that he has raised regarding the assembly of Boeing’s 777 airplanes. He appeared alongside other brave whistleblowers who have come forward with significant concerns about Boeing’s safety culture and practices. Watch the full segment now: https://lnkd.in/eq6DwyUa Mr. Salehpour first came forward in April to raise concerns regarding safety issues in Boeing’s 787 and 777 assembly process. He later testified to Congress about these allegations and the subsequent retaliation he faced after coming forward. The FAA investigation into his reports is ongoing. Learn more about Mr. Salehpour’s allegations and KBK’s work with him: https://lnkd.in/etfP5zvF #boeingwhistleblower #whistleblower #whistleblowerlawyer #aviationwhistleblower

In a new KBK blog, senior associate Marilyn Robb analyzed recent large jury verdicts in employment racial discrimination cases. In the piece, Ms. Robb observes that juries are willing to issue sizable emotional distress and punitive damages awards to employees who bring racial discrimination cases to trial, noting that juries often understand “the emotional and mental anguish that flows from the indignity of being treated differently and harassed on the basis of one’s race.” Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/d7urrt8C Learn more about KBK's plaintiff employment discrimination law practice: https://lnkd.in/ey6SFyKk #employmentlaw #workplacediscrimination

Moment Magazine recently honored KBK partner Debra Katz with its "Women & Power" Award for her work as a "fierce employment discrimination and civil rights litigator, [who is] regarded as a major force of the #MeToo era." In her remarks, Ms. Katz thanked her colleague KBK colleague Lisa Banks and reminded the audience gathered that we must all stand up to bullies in the fight for civil rights. Read Moment's coverage on Ms. Katz here: https://lnkd.in/gi8aTgN6

Today, Debra Katz, counsel for Charlotte Bennett, released the following statement in response to a trial court’s denial of summary judgment in her client’s lawsuit filed against the State of New York. This lawsuit was filed in the wake of findings resulting from the N.Y. Attorney General’s investigation, which concluded that former Governor Andrew Cuomo subjected female staff, including Ms. Bennett, to a sexually hostile work environment, tolerated and failed to correct that environment, and retaliated against employees who came forward about the sexual harassment. If summary judgment had been granted, it would have brought a speedy end to the proceedings.  Ms. Bennett is represented by Ms. Katz, Rachel Green, Sarah Nesbitt, and Suzanna Bobadilla of KBK and Laura Schnell and Herbert Eisenberg of Eisenberg Schnell LLP. Learn more about KBK's work supporting those who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace: https://lnkd.in/eqZkwRwm #sexualharassment #newyorkattorneys

KBK attorneys have been busy leading panels at employment law conferences across the nation! KBK partners Lisa Banks and Alexis Ronickher recently spoke on panels at the ABA’s Annual Labor and Employment Conference in New York, and KBK partner Rebecca Peterson-Fisher moderated a panel at the California Employment Lawyers Association conference in San Diego. Learn more about the firm’s involvement in these conferences here: https://lnkd.in/euyHderf

KBK partner Debra Katz will be honored by Moment Magazine on Sunday, November 17th with the publication's "Women & Power" Award! Moment has recognized Ms. Katz for her "long history of fighting sexual harassment and whistleblower retaliation." She joins several other honorees who have worked throughout their lives to protect democracy and civil rights. Congratulations! Learn more about Moment Magazine and the other honorees here: https://lnkd.in/eDPBwdiF

We are excited to announce that KBK's Zainab Bhindarwala took her oath and was admitted to the Illinois Bar! Congratulations Zainab, we look forward to your continued contributions to the firm and to the legal profession. Learn more about our team and open positions at KBK here: https://lnkd.in/eht3Mn3N