Professor Hillman Comments for AmLaw Daily on Kelley Drye & Warren Settlement
Professor Robert Hillman commented for AmLaw Daily on the settlement between the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Kelley Drye & Warren over a policy forcing partners to wind down their practice and give up equity status at age 70. The settlement does not resolve the question of whether a law firm partner is considered an employee and thus protected by discrimination laws, Hillman noted.
"People are becoming increasingly aware that the label 'partner' does not end the inquiry in terms of whether antidiscrimination laws protect you," Hillman said, adding that the issue also isn't limited to retirement policies but also determines the ability to sue a firm over alleged gender discrimination or sexual harassment.
Robert Hillman is a Professor of Law and holds the Fair Business Practices and Investor Advocacy Chair at UC Davis School of Law. He is a scholar in the fields of international transactions, securities regulation, and corporate and partnership law.