Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination, and it is prohibited under both California and federal laws. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or comments or actions of a sexual nature may constitute harassment when it “affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”
Unfortunately, those who come forward to report sexual harassment – whether with the EEOC or with an internal human resources professional – often face severe consequences and even retaliation from their employers. At Beston International Law Firm, our New York sexual harassment lawyers are not afraid to stand up for your rights and serve as your advocates, even in the face of significant corporate resources. With over a century of combined experience and a commitment to justice, we will help you explore all your legal options after enduring sexual harassment in the workplace.
Call 6463059656 or contact us online to get started with filing a claim in New York, Southern California, or nationwide.
Sexual harassment takes two main forms. The first is “quid pro quo,” meaning “this for that,” and this is the form of harassment that most people envision when they hear the term “sexual harassment.” It occurs when one employee (usually a supervisor) forces another employee to submit to sexual advances in exchange for promotions, pay increases, better work assignments, or other job benefits.
Sometimes workers are threatened with losing their jobs if they fail to comply with the supervisor’s sexual demands: Others may be demoted, receive negative performance reviews, or get less-favorable work assignments. On the other hand, those who comply with “quid pro quo” requests may receive raises and promotions – but suffer from severe depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma related to the coerced sexual acts. Regardless of how the victim responds to quid pro quo harassment, it is illegal and can make an employer liable for damages.
Key components of a quid pro quo harassment claim:
The second type of sexual harassment involves activities that turn the workplace into a hostile work environment. These activities can range from unwanted physical contact to persistent and unwelcome requests for dates by fellow employees and supervisors. It can also include inappropriate workplace behavior at large: For example, if your coworkers display pornography in the workplace or consistently tell demeaning sexual jokes at work.
In contrast with quid pro quo harassment, you do not need to show that your employee benefits were at stake to have a claim. However, you will need more than a single incident to prove a hostile work environment, and you will also need to highlight the frequency and the severity of these experiences. Both men and women can be victims and perpetrators of sex discrimination and harassment on the job, and anyone negatively affected by the conduct may be eligible to file a claim.
Examples of a hostile work environment:
At Beston International Law Firm, our New York sexual harassment lawyers have won significant verdicts and settlements in lawsuits on behalf of clients who were victims of workplace sexual harassment. If you are seeking experienced legal representation for your claim, please contact us as soon as possible to review your options. From our offices in El Segundo, our trial lawyers can represent clients in New York, Southern California, and the entire state.
Contact us online or call us at 6463059656 for a free consultation on your claim with our New York sexual harassment attorneys.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Beston International Law Firm ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in New York.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the New York County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of New York, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of New York and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Beston International Law Firm, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
