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Private Guidance/Problem Prevention
Private Guidance - Sexual
Harassment
Settlement of an egregious
sexual harassment suit against a major company, enabled by a
unique photographic display and chart of 23 involved executives,
which resulted in substantial relief for the plaintiff and strong,
company-wide remedial action;
Sexual Harassment: A woman who had angina as a result of
a sexual assault by biting a co-worker's vagina in a car detailing
operation; the plaintiff prevailed where the perpetrator was
allowed to return to work on the premises, and taunted her and
followed her to her car. Confidential settlement.
Private Guidance
In addition to zealous litigation, Ms. Rodgers has developed niche areas which she describes as "Private Guidance", Academia, Executives and Lawyers, where clients often come in before the shoe falls, or before litigation is warranted, or initiated, and where negotiation and guidance can develop strategies which succeed in resolving or repositioning the parties with least disruption:
Private Guidance-Academia
Ms. Rodgers has successfully
represented five academics in reversing unfavorable tenure
or discipline decisions (reversing two discharge cases, overturning
three non-renewals, obtaining the first ever faculty hearing
decision finding discrimination by a department in a failure
to promote case; obtaining tenure and transfer to a more favorable
institution; as well as dozens of consults and advice prior to
discharge, discipline or adverse action, which have prevented
or forestalled such actions.
2007: As a result of a 2003 retaliation claim for a senior executive seeking unpaid commissions of less than thirty thousand dollars, the client received several hundred thousand shares of a start up company which recently went public. This year the company went public, and the terminated employee realized over $500,000 in value.
2007: Representing a tenured faculty member who was assaulted by a fellow tenured professor, Attorney Rodgers achieved success in obtaining a plea to sufficient facts in criminal court by the professor, a finding of sexual harassment at the internal College level and a highly successful mediation of a grievance. The College initially described the offender as harmless, but diligent advocacy, uncovering of prior incidents, and strong support from the campus police forced the offender off the campus into retirement, but the College president had resolved the sexual harassment grievance by finding sexual harassment had occurred but giving the plaintiff nothing; By filing at the criminal court, the MCAD and with the Union as well, the matter was resolved within 7 months of the incident with a confidential settlement. The client remains in her tenured position, has produced and directed a play and is finishing a book chapter.
2007: Representing an illustrious scientist shunted aside after a bout of cancer, Rodgers confidentially assisted the scientist in negotiating an excellent return to premier status with sufficient financial support to enable breakthrough research to continue, in less than two months.
2007: Representing several managers in biotech/pharmaceutical companies who had recently brought products to market and/or successfully met all stated targets, Rodgers assisted each in reaching mutually satisfactory, confidential settlements where there was compelling evidence of either age, disability or national origin discrimination.
2003-2005: Representing faculty
in twenty-first century, multi-religious discrimination and retaliation
suit, obtaining renewal of contract after adverse votes twice,
and negotiation of survival in the institution.
2004 obtaining reinstatement
for Professor after suspension.
2004-2005: reappointment to a five year named Chair position
despite initial non-renewal.
2004: case obtaining leaves of absence as reasonable accommodation,
re-instatement packages or exit packages for employees with handicaps
threatened with termination.
2003: Representing the Dean of
an Ivy League School in conflict with the President, and 1998-2000:
two Associate Professor contract renewals despite adverse department
votes.
Private Guidance- Executives/Lawyers/Producers: Ms. Rodgers
is known for tackling extremely sensitive matters often with
highly prominent people including :
2004-2005- Successful settlement of a novel claim against a prominent and powerful attorney and two state agencies involving Ethics Violations and whistleblowing;
Representing partners recruited to big firms who are faced with glass ceilings or up and coming lawyers facing partnership battles. Rodgers has increasingly handled such matters to successful conclusion, usually with tight confidentiality agreements but increasing levels of sophistication, risk and remarkably prompt results.
2004-2005- Representing a computer expert executive who was a whistleblower under the Sarbanes Oxley law, obtaining substantial settlement defeating exaggerated claims of misconduct and using novel mail fraud and wire fraud allegations in addition to better known securities fraud allegations. Obtaining a settlement within six months, maintaining the executive's career and clean record, and preserving confidentiality for the company.
Successful and discrete representation of six lawyers obtaining the removal of a highly predatory, prominent attorney accused of extensive sexual harassment and racial discrimination whose contract had just been renewed, without harming the organization and with obtaining all desired results by the clients.
Representation of four women
sexually harassed by a predator promptly removed by national
company .
2005 Representing a CFO of a company who was negotiating a buyout
of the company with a much larger company, in obtaining an agreement
for substantial payment upon occurrence of the Liquidity Event
in the Merger and or Acquisition with the acquiring company;
2004 Representing a partner in a major law firm in a confidential exit strategy resulting in smooth transition to excellent new firm
2005 Representing physician with delicate privacy issues resolved without discipline and retention of privileges.
2004 Representing media producer
in successful exit package
Obtaining a lucrative settlement, after extensive litigation,
for a 57 year-old banking executive after our investigation proved
the employer's use of age through a credit reference company.
Perceived Disability: A CEO of a firm fired two days before cardio-version was to be performed, despite a spotless record and recent retention bonus; Confidential settlement.
Whistleblower: Woman fired within six months of excellent
review and bonus after discovering and reporting quarantined
medicines being released. Confidential settlement.
Man alerted DYS to adolescents in danger due to serious fire
hazards and failure to report abusive incidents in home for children
under state care. Immediately fired. DYS substantiated complaint.
Confidential settlement.
Failure to pay overtime: House parent at residential school
not paid promised overtime. Confidential Settlement
Whistleblower: Woman fired within six months of excellent
review and bonus after discovering and reporting quarantined
medicines being released. Confidential settlement.
Negotiated Severance: Major Ivy League Administrator terminated
after being recruited from secure position; Complex tenure and
position negotiated.
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