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Allen & Overy Resolves New York Religious Discrimination Row
Legal Week
May 14, 2008
Allen & Overy has resolved a religious discrimination suit filed against the firm by a former
The Magic Circle firm confirmed that the claim -- made against the firm by Norman Schoenfeld in December -- was expected to close shortly.
Schoenfeld was laid off last October after only two months with the firm. He claimed that he was dismissed for observing the Jewish Sabbath, meaning he was unable to work from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.
According to the complaint, Allen & Overy leveraged finance partner Mark Wojciechowski recruited Schoenfeld knowing he was an observant Jew, but later demanded that he respond to e-mails on a Saturday and work during a Jewish holiday.
In a statement issued at the time of the complaint, Allen & Overy said Schoenfeld's employment had been terminated solely based on his performance during his probation period.
The firm also said that Schoenfeld had failed to disclose a previous employment at another firm, adding that it has a strict written policy prohibiting discrimination and has instituted diversity training for its lawyers and managers.
Schoenfeld relied on Anne Vladeck of Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard in the case, with Allen & Overy initially taking advice from Rene Fleming at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Allen & Overy said in a statement: "The parties have resolved the case and we anticipate that it will be closed in the near future."
