Ex-Associate with 'Superior Legal Mind' Calls Kasowitz 'Extraordinarily Vindictive' in Latest Salvo
A former associate of Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman who sued the law firm last month saying that he was fired a few days after sending an internal email touting his “superior legal mind” and asking for more work, has launched another salvo.
In a Monday filing in the New York suit, responding to the law firm’s motion to dismiss, Gregory Berry complains of the “extraordinarily vindictive” manner in which Kasowitz Benson allegedly acted in firing him, according to Reuters.
Berry also argues in his brief that Kasowitz Benson’s response to his email was “outrageous and extreme” compared to how another law firm would have handled the situation and contends that he is hence entitled to compensation for emotional distress, the article recounts. His lawsuit seeks $77 million in damages.
“The context of the legal profession … perhaps more than any other, is one of civility and decorum,” Berry writes.. “In this context, the aggressiveness and the overt hostility, vindictiveness and pettiness to which defendants subjected plaintiff were shocking.”
The law firm has denied his allegations and says Berry’s suit is precluded by a $27,000 severance pact to which he agreed. He is, the firm contends, in “flagrant breach” of the once-confidential settlement agreement.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Fired Kasowitz First-Year Sues for $77M, Says Firm Didn’t Appreciate His ‘Superior Legal Mind’”
ABAJournal.com: “Kasowitz: Associate Who Touted Superior Legal Mind Can’t Claim Ouster Deal Was Unconscionable”
