Lawyer Accused of Harassing Employee, Asking Her to Wear Swimsuit to the Office
Already defending legal ethics charges because of his alleged sexual harassment of six women, including four employees, a Chicago class action lawyer is now facing additional accusations concerning his treatment of a female associate.
An amended complaint against Paul Weiss filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission says he began focusing on the woman shortly after she was hired, commenting on her appearance and suggesting that she wear a swimsuit to the office, the Madison County Record reports.
“Respondent engaged in behavior during working hours which became increasingly aggressive and sexual, often asking [the associate] to go to an empty office or hallway, ask to see her without a top, offer money for her favors or to ‘work out a deal,’ ” the complaint alleges.
It says the associate resigned by email on Dec. 12, 2010 because Weiss made “constant and intolerable” comments to her in the office on Dec. 10, 2010.
Weiss, who has previously denied the allegations in the earlier complaint and said the claimed misconduct was not work-related, also denies that he did anything wrong this time around.
In an email to the Record, he called the new accusations “made-up allegations by a recent employee of the firm who once she was told she would be let go (and to look for another job) … then claimed that I had harassed in her in the office for many months.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ethics Complaint Accuses Chicago Partner of Groping Employees, Taking Off His Pants”
