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The Cowan Law Firm

Employment & Civil Rights Law,

Business Litigation & Class Actions


Phone: (310) 394-1420

Fax: (310) 394-1430

Email: info@cowan-law.com



Two Locations


BEVERLY HILLS

9301 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 609

Beverly Hills,  California 90210



SANTA MONICA

401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor

Santa Monica, CA 90401


© The Cowan Law Firm

Phone: (310) 394 - 1420

Fax: (310) 394 - 1430

9301 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 609

Beverly Hills,  California 90210

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Sexual Harassment

Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Attorney Jeffrey Cowan

Sexual harassment is prohibited in the workplace. As a form of gender discrimination, acts of sexual harassment are barred by both Federal Law and California State Law. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.S. 2000e et seq) is the Federal Law which applies to employers that have fifteen or more employees. Its legal remedies are less generous than those under the corresponding California Law, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”). In California, the FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) codified in Government Code § 12940 et seq, prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace with one or more employees.

Generally, sexual harassment can be described as unwelcome physical, visual, or verbal conduct of a sexual nature that is considered pervasive or severe and affects work conditions or is the cause of hostile work environment. Typically, one incident of this type of conduct will not be harassment, unless it is severe, whereas sexual conduct which is ongoing and directed toward an employee is “pervasive.” In addition, the employer cannot retaliate against the employee for registering complaints about sexual harassment or for participating in any investigation into the sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can be categorized as either quid pro quo or hostile work environment. Quid pro quo is straightforward and involves the conditioning of sexual conduct in order for an employee to get hired for the job or keep the job, benefit, promotion, or raise. The following scenarios are in this category:

In a hostile work environment, pervasive hostile conduct occurs that is offensive and abusive. The following scenarios may occur in a hostile work environment:

Additionally, in Roby v. McKesson Corporation, 47 Cal. 4th 686, 708-711 (2010), the California Supreme Court has ruled that sexual harassment does not only include conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include non-sexual, abusive conduct that is motivated by the harasser’s desire to have sexual relations or the act by the victim of refusing to have sex.

Before a lawsuit can be filed, the harassment victim must first file a “charge” or administrative complaint with either the California Dept. of Fair Employment and Housing or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or an analogous state agency. “The deadline (also called a statute of limitations) for filing this administrative charge/complaint varies but is usually not longer than a year from when the conduct last occurred.  If you believe you have been sexually harassed, you should contact an experienced employment lawyer immediately for at least two reasons:  (1) to ensure that you do not lose the ability to sue because of delay and (2) to ensure that your charge/complaint states all necessary facts.”

For examples of Sexual Harassment matters that The Cowan Law Firm has handled successfully, please click on settlements & verdicts and on news.  You also can click here to read about real life sexual harassment and workplace lessons that you may have noticed in the hit movie Bombshell.

Sexual Harassment at Work

Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer Jeffrey Cowan fights zealously while protecting his clients’ rights in a range of employment law matters, including sexual harassment. The Cowan Law Firm represents plaintiff employees who’ve suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, and we also vigorously defend employers against alleged acts of sexual harassment.

If you believe you have been or are currently being sexually harassed by co-workers, executives, managers, or a third-party vendor, contact an experienced Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Attorney at our firm today. If sexual harassment allegations have been raised against you, call The Cowan Law Firm to discuss your situation. We are prepared to help you or your company prevail through litigation or settlement negotiations.

Please call a skilled Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer at The Cowan Law Firm today. Contact us at (310) 394-1420 and schedule a confidential, comprehensive consultation. The Cowan Law Firm’s lawyers have successfully resolved many sexual harassment cases (involving not only employers but also landlords) in Los Angeles County. Some were complicated; most contentious.

Schedule a Comprehensive Consultation with a Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Whether you have endured sexual harassment at work and are a victim, or whether you have been accused of sexual harassment, contact our Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Attorneys at (310) 394-1420. We can help you recover your reputation and take back your life.

Representing individuals and businesses throughout Southern California, The Cowan Law Firm has offices in Los Angeles and Santa Monica to conveniently serve clients.