New York Employment Lawyer Blog

It never ceases to amaze me how far my opposition will go to try to intimidate and/or embarrass my client in an effort to force him/her to settle. No matter how often I warn my clients about what happens during litigation, they are always shocked at what comes out. For instance, I have negotiated severance agreements for clients who feel they have been discriminated against based on their age or their gender. It would be extremely difficult to argue that extra-marital affairs (not involving intra-office relationships) or other unrelated but potentially detrimental information would be relevant. However, often times, my opposition will call me up and in a not so subtle way inform me that these issues will be raised at the deposition-should the case not settle. Although I would strongly oppose their efforts to obtain such irrelevant information, the damage is often times done.

By way of example, if anyone has been following the Anucha Browne Sanders v. Isiah Thomas trial, I'm sure you have already heard the idle threats regarding Ms. Browne Sanders' alleged tax fraud issues. These tactics are merely created to embarrass and force the plaintiff to settle before the case gets to a jury which could potentially drag the New York Knicks' name into the mud.