Less than a week after the suit was filed, a litigation brawl already has erupted in the new parental leave bias case against Jones Day.

The firm has issued a lengthy statement claiming the suit is meritless with “sensationalized” allegations, while the plaintiffs oppose the firm’s request for more time to respond in court and claim Jones Day’s statement, posted on social media, smears their reputation.

Mark Savignac and Julia Sheketoff alleged in their complaint filed Aug. 14 in Washington, D.C., federal court that the firm discriminates against fathers by providing them eight fewer weeks of parental leave than it gives to mothers. The married couple worked as associates in the firm’s prestigious issues and appeals practice after clerking on the U.S. Supreme Court.