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Discovery Sanctions Issued Against Defense Attorney for Sexist Comment

On Behalf of | Feb 11, 2016 | Blog, Links, News

Discovery Sanctions Issued Against Defense Attorney

Discovery Sanctions Issued Against Defense Attorney – Federal Judge Paul Grewal from the Northern District of California recently issued an order in a civil rights case against the defense counsel on a Motion Seeking Sanctions and to Compel Discovery when the defense counsel, during a deposition, said it was not “becoming of a woman” to raise her voice during a contentious deposition. The Court noted that the defense counsel engaged in other discovery misconduct and also noted the defense counsel’s failure to tender any meaningful apology despite many opportunities to do so. Refreshingly, Judge Grewal noted that there were several obvious problems with the defense counsel’s, “Don’t raise your voice at me. It is not becoming of a woman…” statement.

First, the defense counsel endorsed a stereotype that women are subject to a different standard of behavior than their fellow attorneys. Bad.

Second, Judge Grewal noted that the sexist remark in itself is unfortunately all too common.

Third, comments such as this “reflect and reinforce the male-dominated attitude of our profession.” Judge Grewal cites to a recent ABA report that found that inappropriate stereotypical comments towards women attorneys are among the overt indicators of discrimination and contribute to their under representation in the legal field.

It is refreshing to see a Judge cut through the typical defense discovery abuses and, more importantly, identify how sexist comments in the legal profession by male lawyers reinforce the male-dominated attitude of our legal profession.

View Judge Grewel’s order..

York Law Firm is comprised of Sacramento based lawyers that handle personal injury, elder abuse and wrongful death cases. If you have suffered a serious injury or you or your loved one has been victim of elder abuse/neglect or wrongful death, please call our office so that we can investigate your case at 916-643-2200 or contact us online. We are dedicated to representing victims and families in personal injury claims, elder neglect/abuse and wrongful death claims.

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