Sex Harassment Suit Can’t Be Split From Bias Claim, Court Rules

The law firm Adams & Reese LLP must face a paralegal’s bias suit in court under an exception to arbitration for sexual harassment claims, and the exception covers her entire suit, the Sixth Circuit ruled Wednesday.

Randi Bruce can’t be made to pursue her claims in arbitration because she plausibly alleged sexual harassment by her Nashville-based supervising attorney, triggering her rights under Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, a split US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit panel said on a question that’s divided lower courts.

The EFAA when properly invoked extends to all ...