Woodline Settles Harassment, Misogyny Lawsuit on Eve of Trial

Hedge fund Woodline Partners settled a lawsuit with a former employee over allegations that one of its co-founders sexually harassed staff and contributed to a hostile and misogynous work environment.

Moments before a trial was set to begin Wednesday, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Garrett Wong told jurors that a confidential settlement had been reached the night before.

Danielle Kesich, a former executive admin at the hedge fund, said in court filings that Woodline co-founder Karl Kroeker, objectified women and made inappropriate comments. Those included “unwanted personal inquiries, and repeated sexually charged ‘hypotheticals,’” according to documents prepared for trial. ...