Lachtman Cohen P.C. and Yankwitt LLP file Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against ESPN on Behalf of Former ESPN Anchor and Legal Analyst, Adrienne Lawrence

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Mar 05, 2018, 05:58 ET

GREENWICH, Conn. and WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lachtman Cohen P.C. and Yankwitt LLP have filed a lawsuit against ESPN, Inc. on behalf of Adrienne J. Lawrence, a former ESPN anchor and legal analyst, alleging that throughout her tenure at the media giant, Ms. Lawrence was forced to work in a hostile environment where she was subjected to lewd behavior, unwelcome sexual advances, and misogynistic treatment by male colleagues, and then retaliated against for complaining to her supervisors and the Human Resources Department.

The lawsuit alleges that, after Ms. Lawrence complained to supervisors and HR about sexual harassment and the company's condonation and ratification of discriminatory behavior, ESPN retaliated by marginalizing her, denying her important opportunities for professional development, and then terminating her employment.

The Complaint asserts various claims for violation of federal and state discrimination laws against ESPN and individual defendants Margaret "Meg" Green, the Senior Director of Talent Recruitment and Negotiation, Donna Hricisko, the Company's longtime Director of Employee Relations, Robert "Rob" Gallo, the Senior Director of Employee Relations, and John "Jack" Obringer, the Senior Coordinating Producer.

Ms. Lawrence is represented by Lachtman Cohen P.C. Partner Brian S. Cohen and Yankwitt LLP Partner Russell M. Yankwitt.

The case, Lawrence v. ESPN, Inc., et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Case 3:18-cv-00383. Read the Complaint Here.

Statement from Brian Cohen and Russell Yankwitt:

"We are proud to represent Adrienne Lawrence in this important lawsuit that sends a clear message to ESPN that it can no longer turn a blind eye to sexual harassment, and retaliate when women like Ms. Lawrence stand up for themselves and assert their rights to work in a safe environment and be free from discrimination. We believe that justice will prevail, and that ESPN will finally be held accountable for its culture where women are routinely humiliated, degraded, and marginalized. We hope that the impact of Ms. Lawrence's claims will extend far beyond this litigation, and that her courage will help improve working conditions for all women and inspire other victims of sexual misconduct to come forward and fight for the dignity and respect that all female employees deserve."