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 […]
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 […]
LVBH and Equal Rights Advocates settle with Sacramento Unified School District
Sacramento City Unified School District settled a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit, agreeing to district-wide policy improvements and to pay $400,000 to former student Virginia,* after school official forced Virginia to leave school for the rest of the semester upon discovering she was raped by two schoolmates at an off-campus party in 2016. The lawsuit, filed […]
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 […]
Sexual Assault and Harassment Victims Represented by LVBH Name California Legislator as Perpetrator
DECEMBER 4, 2017, 11:00 AM. SACRAMENTO, CA. Pamela Lopez, a Sacramento lobbyist, filed a report today with the California Assembly Rules Committee formally naming Assembly Member Matt Dababneh as the legislator she reported had masturbated in front of her after he followed her into a bathroom at a Las Vegas party venue where most of […]
Jean Hyams Testifies in Sacramento Before Assembly Rules Committee
In the wake of dozens of allegations of sexual harassment by state legislators of women working in the California state legislature, the Assembly Rules Subcommittee on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention and Response held hearings on November 28, 2017. The subcommittee, which is chaired by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, sought testimony regarding existing laws and the […]
Women Being Interviewed in Sacramento Should Consult Attorneys
We strongly encourage any woman who is considering participation in an interview with the investigator hired by the California Assembly and Senate, or any other investigation conducted by the state legislature, to contact an attorney to discuss their rights. Attorneys in our office would be happy to assist you in evaluating your legal rights with respect […]