Women legislators’ nonprofit terminates contract with law firm accused of retaliation

SACRAMENTO — A nonprofit organization operated by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus has cut ties with a law firm that has become embroiled in the sexual harassment scandal in California’s Capitol.

In a Jan. 3 letter to Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney LLP, the group Women in California Leadership informed the firm it was “terminating our contract and professional relationship effective immediately” over “alleged retaliation and sexual harassment by your law firm.”

The letter came one day after former employee Alicia Lewis sued the firm for allegedly firing her for signing the #WeSaidEnough letter that denounced sexual harassment in the Capitol. Lewis v. Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney LLP, 00224671 (Sacramento Super. Ct., filed Jan. 2, 2017).

Lewis was fired in October, just over a week after she told her supervisor she was one of the more than 140 Capitol women who signed the letter. According to her complaint, her supervisor expressed concern about “blow back” over Lewis speaking out on the issue.

She also said that she detailed sexual harassment she had received from clients of the firm. The complaint does not allege sexual harassment by Wilke Fleury employees.

The letter to Wilke Fleury was signed by the two chairs of the Women’s Caucus, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens, and Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino. Garcia also serves as CEO and treasurer of the nonprofit, while Leyva is listed as the group’s secretary.

The firm did compliance work for Women in California Leadership. This includes filing several required registration forms with the Secretary of State’s office.

When asked about the letter, Wilke Fleury partner Ronald R. Lamb gave the following statement:

“We are very troubled by the allegations made in the complaint. We adamantly refute the claim that we terminated the complainant for her involvement in the #WeSaidEnough movement. Not only is the lobbyist who supervised the complainant a supporter of the movement, but the partners of our firm fully support the #WeSaidEnough movement to address sexual harassment in the workplace,” Lamb wrote.

“However, we vigorously deny the claims in the suit, and as you know personnel matters are confidential,” Lamb continued. “We cannot discuss the details of complainant’s termination of employment. We look forward to presenting out defense in the judicial process as quickly as possible.”

“We regret that a Women in California Leadership in did not offer us the opportunity to demonstrate the inaccuracy of the allegations made by Ms. Lewis,” he added.

Wilke Fleury’s lobbying clients include several women’s and reproductive rights organizations. One of these clients, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, terminated their lobbying arrangement with the firm in November. The group did not return several calls seeking comment.

On Friday, Lewis announced on Twitter she was creating her own lobbying firm, Lewis Public Affairs.

Legislative leaders released a statement on Friday saying they were changing their policy of not releasing the names of legislators and staff members accused of harassment.

“The Senate and the Assembly will release documents related to sexual harassment claims that have been substantiated against a high-level legislative employee or legislator for which discipline has been imposed or allegations have been determined to be well-founded,” read the statement signed by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood.