Law Sisters

We welcome this week’s guest, Wake Forest County Judge, Ashleigh Dunston to talk about Sexism: The Elephant in the Courtroom, her recent journal published by the Wake County Bar Association. Why is sexism one of the least discussed topics for lawyers and how can we get rid of it? Ashleigh also shares her reason for going into law, and her personal experiences with sexism since she’s joined the profession. We also discuss Mitra Shahri, a lawyer and comedian, known for her work representing victims of sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.  Everyone deals with sexism differently, but Shahri has a great way of turning “-isms” (like “racism” or “sexism”) into comedy. Our Bad Boss of the week is Les Moonves, former CEO of CBS. While he put out a lengthy statement apologizing for his inappropriate sexual behavior, he finished it out by restating that he always “understood and respected… that ‘no’ means ‘no.’” The Law Sister’s aren’t convinced this is a sincere enough apology! To keep up with today’s guest, Ashleigh Dunston, visit her website: judgeashleigh.com Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com We can’t wait to hear from you!

Listen in for an informative interview with an exciting guest: NC Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman. Judge Inman gives us a crash course on appeals courts and explains what a “strong case” looks like for a victim of sexual abuse or harassment. We discuss sexual harassment both in the courts and in everyday life, including a conversation on subtle gender biases women have to face in the workforce even when they are a State Appeals Judge. We talk more NC University campus sexual harassment news, including a Fraternity drug scandal at ECU and a hopeful change in investigation policy at UNC-Chapel Hill. We also check in with some former Bad Bosses, including Bill O’Reilly (who always seems to be on the sexual harassment radar), and introduce this week’s Bad Boss, Netflix’s former chief of communication officer, Jonathan Friedland. Ironically, Friedland got himself in trouble for failing to understand how to appropriately communicate. Do we think he accepts blame for his derogatory language? Listen in to find out! Quote of the week: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” - Judge Lucy Inman If you’d like to hear more from Judge Inman follow her on twitter @JudgeLucyInman Or visit her website: judgelucyinman.com Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

The Law Sisters hit off this episode with a lesson about what happens when harassers target customers instead of other employees. What rights do customers have? And, does an employer have to ratify the harassment? Next, Valerie and Leto welcome this week’s guest, Greg Doucette! Greg is a fellow Durham, NC lawyer, and podcaster! He is passionate about rectifying police and government misconduct and is quite popular for his twitter rants. Listen in to hear the Law Sisters and Greg talk about his political beliefs, race within the legal profession, and the legal standard for holding law enforcement accountable for sexual harassment. If you’d like to hear more from Greg Doucette, follow his podcast #FSCK ‘Em All. Or, follow him on twitter @greg_doucette. We would also like to thank Damjan Denoble of Bull City Lawyers for allowing us to record this episode in his studios.  Check out their website here https://bullcity.lawyer/ and Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/BullCityLawyer/ Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

In this episode of Sex at Work, Valerie and Leto invite guest, Dr. Shanita Brown, to discuss what to do if you are a victim of sexual assault.  Dr. Brown is a licensed counselor who has been working in the mental health industry for over 10 years, primarily with victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.  She wants all victims of sexual assault to know that it’s not your fault and that you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Our Case in the News centers on a company that has seen quite a bit of traction on our series: Uber! Uber recently decided to end forced arbitration for sexual assault claims by riders, drivers, and employees. Listen in to see what exactly this means for the future of the company! And, the Bad Boss of the Week is the CEO of a famous sneaker brand! He and 10 other executives have been accused of and fired for sexual behavior, including derogatory language, pushy sexual advances, and strip club business trips.  It will be interesting to see how this company’s profitability and general fame could be affected after this cleanse of sexual harassers. Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

This is the show where Valerie and Leto talk about sexual harassment, live!    The Law Sisters had a little hiatus (we have actual cases to work on, you guys!) We broadcast during a legal education program from the North Carolina Bar Association all about #MeToo!  We discuss how the other side -- the employer -- thinks about sexual harassment at work. You’ll hear how it is the same as employees think -- and how it is very different. Our special guest this week is Jill Stricklin, a partner at Costangy, Brooks, Mills & Profete!  Jill only represents employers in employment discrimination and labor disputes.  She brings her perspective on the law and how employers can and should react to claims of sexual harassment.  Some of the topics that Jill discusses with us: Should that manager who harassed the employee be fired or only disciplined?  And what does making a sexual harassment complaint do to the employee’s future at the company? And this week’s Bad Boss of the week is a champion of the #MeToo movement at work!  Or at least he was -- before the allegations came back to bite him!   Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

This is the show where Valerie and Leto talk about bad things that happen at college to good people! Title IX is the law that prevents discrimination because of sex on campus -- and it’s a lot of law packed into only one line! Title IX protects students, teachers, and others on all campuses that take federal funds.  So when the Department of Education suggested that colleges treat those of sexual assault suddenly changed, people took notice!  And Leto shines a light onto hidden fraternity culture at some colleges, and left Valerie shaking her head.   We profile a Bad Boss of the Week that you’ll recognize from a huge sexual harassment scandal from 20 years ago.  He of all people ought to know that young people need to be safe from sexual assault on or off campus! Our case in the news profiles two campuses in Atlanta that haven’t managed to keep student protests quiet about sexual assaults, and we talk about a player in Hollywood that maybe, just maybe, got played. Listen to the Law Sisters on the Legal Eagle Review available at WNCU’s website, where we answer questions from hosts Professor April Dawson and Professor Irving Johnson.  The Legal Eagle Review makes law understandable -- and The Law Sisters were delighted to contribute to the understanding of sexual assault and harassment.  We thank the professors and staff of WNCU for the opportunity!  Soar, Eagles, Soar! Leto highlights More Perfect, the podcast about the Supreme Court -- where women get interrupted all the time!   Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

In this episode, the Law Sisters talk about sexual harassment in the legal profession with our first ever special guest, Faith Herndon!  We follow up on the conversation we had the last episode about the Congressional Office of Compliance, who counters sexual harassment complaints with under the table payouts.  We can’t avoid talking about the President’s tweeting faux pas of the week, involving Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a congressional advocate against forced arbitration of sexual harassment cases.   Leto and Valerie discuss the difficulties lawyers and employees at law firms face when it comes to sexual harassment-- the exact same challenges that women in other jobs face!  We welcome Faith, a fellow lawyer in Durham, NC, to discuss her opinion of the #MeToo movement and share personal experiences with workplace sexual harassment. This week, the Case in the News brings up a case from 1991 and includes an apology from Joe Biden that is well overdue. And our Bad Boss of the Week is a Ninth Circuit Judge who found himself on the wrong side of the bench! Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!

In this episode, the Law Sisters talk about all of the politicians accused outed as sexual harassers!  We’ve got all the details about Al Franken, who has been accused of inappropriately touching six women.  We think he has to go.  We actually think they all have to go-- a completely non-partisan approach to this sexual harassment issue! Check out the bottom of our show notes for a bipartisan list of politicians that have been accused of sexual harassment. Valerie and Leto discuss the laws that might apply if you decide to post a sexy photo of your partner on social media.  Even though some people call this Revenge Porn, it doesn’t have to be motivated by revenge and it can get you in a lot of trouble.  Remember, extortion is a crime everywhere. This week, the Cases in the News should probably be called Cases NOT in the News.  The Law Sisters discuss special rules regarding sexual harassment allegations in Congress.  And our Bad Boss of the Week is the former president that brought sexual harassment into the national conversation.   Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com   We can’t wait to hear from you!   Republican Democrat Donald Trump Bill Clinton Roy Moore Al Franken Jeff Hoover John Conyers George H. W. Bush Bob Filner Joe Barton Steve Lebsock Wesley Goodman Paul Rosenthal Don Shooter Dan Shoen Mark Foley Tony Mendoza Bob Packwood Raul Bocanegra Tim Murphey Brock Adams Blake Farenthold Eric Massa John Ensign David Wu   Jackie Speier   Robert Kihuen

This is the episode where The Law Sisters evaluate Company Sexual Harassment Policies.  Who are they supposed to protect?  Should you follow the policy’s statements about what to do when you are harassed or discriminated against?  Is that company policy a contract that you can use against the company?  Or just there to help the company? Valerie and Leto talk about creative ways to talk about harassment at the workplace.  We offer some ways to classify harassers, because it is getting overwhelming out there with so many celebrity assaulters and harassers.  How do you make sense of the senseless?   The Law Sisters have a history lesson for our bad boss of the week, when we go back to the case that started it all.  And the behavior at a couple of automobile plants makes it seem like the world of human resources might not be all that glamorous, with so many sexual harassment plaintiffs!   Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Join the conversation on Facebook @thelawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com We can’t wait to hear from you!

This is the episode where The Law Sisters evaluate workplace dress codes, workplace dress shaming, and the question of whether women ask to be assaulted or discriminated against because of the way they dress.  Because “What to Wear to Work” is a trick question that we discuss up and down, from hemlines to hijabs!   And the Law Sisters Ask a burning question:  can women stop berating women for what they wear?  It’s a constant battle of the haters out there!  And twitter is obviously not having it.   Hollywood harassers and assaulters don’t escape our notice either -- sexual harassment is coming out in the open!  We detail the scandals and break down the issues -- why do women have to do the outing, and where are the men who ought to be outing themselves?   Don’t miss our bonus discussion on freedom of religion -- because not everyone knows what the First Amendment really says! Follow us on Twitter @lawsisters Read more at lawsisters.com Have a question? Call us at 919-909-0236 Email us at leto@lawsisters.com or valerie@lawsisters.com We can’t wait to hear from you!

The Law Sisters bring you another episode with a twist!  The problems pregnant women face don’t stop with swollen ankles - they include shaming in the workplace, the denial of job opportunities, and sometimes outright firing. All of those are illegal, and the Law Sisters tell you what your rights are and what to expect when you exercise them. Don’t miss the rapid-fire review of hot topics at the top of the episode!

This is the episode where Leto and Valerie wade into questions involving both sex and race, as it what if a person is female and African American, or an Asian female, or a Black man? What happens when the discrimination is about both? The courts have had problems with issues that involve the very long name of intersectionality: when race and sex intersect. The Law Sisters discussion takes place right after the violence in Charlottesville and when racism is very much on everyone's mind. The Bad Boss of the Week gives new meaning to the word "hospitality" in the context of race and sex. And this weeks Case in the News will make your heart sing with her response to sexual harassment -- okay, it is Taylor Swift. Listen in and Subscribe! For more Law Sisters, follow us on Twitter @LawSisters, and check out our website, www.lawsisters.com Hosted by: Leto Copeley (@LetoC | Twitter), and Valerie Johnson (@ValerieAJohnson | Twitter)

This episode turns the tables on sexual harassment to point the finger at female harassers and men who harass other men because hostile work environments and assaults are not just for women anymore!  Or were they ever?  We talk evidence this week and how to turn the tables in your favor.  This week, our Bad Boss of the Week definitely ought to have known better.  

In this episode, we investigate how a blog post blew the cover off of the culture of sexual harassment at Uber!  We dive into tech and the Brogrammer culture in Silicon Valley. And do you have to be concerned about retaliation if you witness sexual harassment and tell the truth about it?  What does the Supreme Court say about protections for witnesses?  And don't miss our shout out to a really forward-thinking man on this episode of the Law Sisters.  

In this episode we discuss what to consider about reporting a crime when you are sexually assaulted at work.  Can you count on the civil justice system to take care of you in your hour of need?  Or should you go to the police?  We explain the different ways that a victim of sexual harassment can navigate the hazardous waters surrounding police reports, the government, and lawsuits.  

We talk about sexual harassment issues that apply -- and not just to Fox.  Such as:  What was it about the Fox News culture that helped the scandals start?  Are there things you should say no to, in order to avoid getting in trouble with the “star employee?”  Are confidentiality clauses really confidential? Ultimately, who gets punished more, the perpetrator or the victim? And Our Bad Boss of the Week is not who you think!

Are unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature considered sexual harassment?  We will explore these topics and define what sexual harassment is, when it is illegal, and give you some advice to use if you find yourself in this situation.