Journalist Bryce Covert is out with a new piece focusing on how survivors of sexual assault are now the targets of defamation lawsuits when they speak out against perpetrators. The article – “Years After #MeToo, Defamation Cases Increasingly Target Victims Who Can’t Afford to Speak Out” — highlights the financial and emotional cost survivors are […]
LA Times calls on Wendy Musell to discuss the impact of a sexual misconduct settlement
The Los Angeles Times interviewed LVBH attorney Wendy Musell for an article regarding how the California Assembly handles confidentiality in investigations of sexual misconduct by legislators and others. The article focuses on the Assembly turning over witness identities as part of its settlement of a lawsuit by a former California Assemblymember who stepped down after […]
LVBH wins appellate victory for courageous #MeToo survivor
Sacramento, CA, October 1, 2021 – Today, the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, ruled that a former member of the California Assembly cannot sue the woman who accused him of sexual assault. In holding that the fair report privilege applies in the case of Dababneh v. Lopez, the court’s ruling protects survivors who […]
LA Times calls on Leslie Levy to discuss Toobin’s indecent Zoom exposure
LVBH Partner Leslie Levy was recently interviewed for a column regarding CNN legal analyst and New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin’s indecent exposure during a Zoom meeting. The column, published recently in the Los Angeles Times, considers what has been learned in the age of #MeToo. It also discusses whether Zoom meetings are considered workplace meetings. […]
National Women’s Law Center Issues MeToo Progress Report
The National Women’s Law Center has published its 2020 Progress Update: Me Too Workplace Reforms in the States. The report provides an overview of progress that has been made in advancing anti-harassment legislation for workers around the country and highlights how survivors have led the push for state law reforms. LVBH’s Wendy Musell is quoted […]
Rape Survivor’s Lawsuit Leads to New Rules for Preventing Sexual Assault for Major School District
As part of the settlement of a high-profile Title IX lawsuit brought by Virginia M., a former student, the Sacramento City Unified School District has agreed to sweeping programmatic changes in how it will respond to reports of sexual assault and harassment. Signed by the Superintendent of the District with the authorization of the District’s […]
Women’s Rights, Media and First Amendment Leaders File Amicus Briefs Supporting LVBH client in #MeToo Appeal
Pamela Lopez was one of 150 women in California politics who spoke out about the culture of sexism in the State Capitol back in October of 2017, when the #MeToo movement was gathering steam. But she didn’t know she would be caught in the crosshairs of the #MeToo backlash. Ms. Lopez has been sued by […]
Jean Hyams to co-lead #MeToo webinar for lawyers
The California Lawyers Association is hosting #MeToo After the Dust Has Settled, featuring LVBH partner Jean Hyams, on July 14, 2020. Jean and her co-panelist, defense attorney Rhonda L. Nelson of Severson & Werson, will explore how the #MeToo movement has changed the manner in which employment litigators — on both sides of the “v” […]
Two LVBH cases are featured in the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund Annual Report
Two cases that Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams has worked on have been featured in the the Annual Report published by the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. Both cases received funding from the organization, which supports individuals in seeking justice for sexual harassment they have endured in the workplace. Partner Jean Hyams and associate Hilary Hammell […]
With Funding from TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, Pamela Lopez Challenges Defamation Lawsuit by Accused Former Assemblyman
October 25, 2018, Sacramento, CA – Today, Pamela Lopez filed an anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss in Sacramento County. The motion is in response to a defamation lawsuit by former state Assemblyman Matt Dababneh. Lopez is represented by Jean Hyams of the Bay Area workers’ rights law firm, Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams LLP. The motion argues […]