Axed NY BigLaw Associate Calls Firing Religious Discrimination

Axed Biglaw Associate Calls Firing Religious Discrimination is an interesting December 24, 2007 New York Lawyer article (free registration required) about an associate at Allen and Overy who claims that he was fired for observing the Jewish sabbath. Both sides are represented by large firms. As the article states:

Allen & Overy is facing a religious discrimination suit by a former New York associate who claims he was fired because he insisted on observing the Jewish sabbath.

Norman D. Schoenfeld claimed in a suit filed in Manhattan federal court Thursday that the British law firm fired him in October after he had worked there for two months because one partner in particular was upset that Mr. Schoenfeld was unable to work on matters from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

According to the complaint, leveraged finance partner Mark S. Wojciechowski recruited Mr. Schoenfeld to Allen & Overy knowing he was an observant Jew but nonetheless swore at him before he left one Friday and also demanded that the associate respond to e-mails on a Saturday morning. Mr. Wojciechowski also allegedly insisted the associate work with him during a Jewish holiday.

This article highlights that associates are employees like everyone else and law firms are employers subject to our nations laws.

Mitchell H. Rubinstein