The jury found that the School District and Principal Brown retaliated against Farb for filing a harassment complaint against Brown

Beware: This is an ad for a law firm but the case is interesting. A teacher charges someone with sexual harassment and gets fired. I hear similar cases in NYC but nothing much happens. Maybe NYSUT lawyers should drop in on Leeds, Morelli, etc.

http://www.topix.com/content/prweb/2009/05/leeds-morelli-brown-obtain-huge-verdict-against-school-district

Leeds Morelli & Brown Obtain Huge Verdict Against School District

May 13, 2009

Original PRWeb article: Leeds Morelli & Brown Obtain Huge Verdict Against School District
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- Principals and school administrators hold positions of trust and responsibility in our society. Last Wednesday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York found that Principal James Brown of Baldwin Middle School in Baldwin, N.Y., violated that trust when he terminated Cheryl Farb, Dean of Students, in retaliation for her filing a complaint for sexual harassment and discrimination. Farb was represented by the firm Leeds Morelli & Brown.
Farb, et al. v. Baldwin Union Free School Dist., et al., 05 CV 0596 (JS)(ETB)

The jury found that the School District and Principal Brown retaliated against Farb for filing a harassment complaint against Brown. Following an eight-day trial, jurors awarded a total of $5.25 million to Cheryl Farb and her husband. The award included $4 million in emotional damages and $1 million in punitive damages awarded to Ms. Farb, as well as $250,000 for loss of consortium to Farb's husband. The Court has yet to determine Farb's damages for economic losses and is expected to award a substantial additional amount for those losses. The Court also ordered the School District to pay all of Farb's attorneys fees. Leeds Morelli managing attorney Jeffrey Brown stated, 'We are very proud of our trial team and inspired by the courage Ms. Farb demonstrated by standing up for the rights of children and women throughout the country.'

Cheryl Farb worked at the Baldwin Middle School during the 2002/03 and 2003/04 school years until she was terminated. During her time at the school, she filed a complaint against the principal for making sexual and racial comments about both her and students at the school. The jury found that Principal Brown, in retaliation, exploited his position as Farb's direct supervisor by issuing her poor evaluations and fabricating reasons to take disciplinary action against her.

The jury also found that Baldwin School District failed to properly train its employees about sexual harassment; failed to keep Farb's complaint confidential; and failed to oversee Principal Brown's supervision of Farb after she filed her complaint against him.

Cheryl Farb stated, 'I am happy with the outcome of the trial and am glad that the jury was able to see that I was wronged. I hope this verdict sends a message that people should speak out when they see improprieties in their workplace and retaliation for speaking out will not be tolerated.' Speaking on the quality of their legal counsel in the case, Farb's husband, Harry Newman, said, 'As an attorney, I am thrilled and amazed at the quality of the work that Leeds Morelli & Brown has done for us. Our attorney, Rick Ostrove, is one of the finest trial attorneys I have ever seen in my life. His closing statement was definitely the best closing statement I have ever seen in my entire career.'

About Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C.: Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C. is a New York City area litigation firm that is dedicated to seeking justice for its clients. The firm offers free consultations about potential claims of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace. For more information, call 1-800-585-4658 or visit www.lmblaw.com.

Media Contact:
Jeff Brown
1-888-5-JOBLAW


Media Contact:
Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C.
Jeff Brown
516-873-9550

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