Shavua Hachana (Staff training): Recognizing and Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Our Shavua Hachana is jam-packed with informational and motivational sessions, including one presented by our very own Board President, Stuart M. Katz Esq. along with Jordan Sala Esq. (bios, below).  The subject of this session, “Recognizing and Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” was presented clearly, in a very organized fashion, and with (appropriate) humor to our entire Tzevet (staff).

Topics that were covered included definitions:

Intent and perception:

Possibilities for Intervention:

Strategies for Prevention:

And finally, humorous clips from Saturday Night Live and The Office, among others:

The session concluded with a lively, interactive discussion of four real-life scenarios, and a Q & A session.  Todah Rabah (thank you!) Stuart and Jordan!

STUART M. KATZ is a principal of Cohen and Wolf and Chair of the firm’s Litigation Group. He is also a member of the firm’s Employment & Labor and Physicians’ Practices Groups, and chairs the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Mr. Katz is highlighted in Chambers USA (2017) for the “superb quality of his counsel and representation.” He represents employers of all sizes in defending discrimination and harassment suits and litigating restrictive covenant, breach of contract, business tort and wage claims. Mr. Katz also represents professionals and executives in matters relating to their employment.  He has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law (Management) (2018) and for Employment Law (Individuals) (2016) by the Best Lawyers in Americafor the Stamford, Connecticut metro area. He routinely provides guidance to employers and employees regarding personnel policies, handbooks and employee discipline. In addition, Mr. Katz has extensive experience in matters involving disputes between owners of closely-held businesses, and in litigating other complex business disputes. He practices in both the state and federal courts, often acting as local counsel for out-of-state law firms and companies, and handles matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Department of Labor and other administrative agencies.

Mr. Katz has been recognized as a leading lawyer in Connecticut in the area of Labor & Employment Law, by Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (since 2008) and is listed in Best Lawyers in America (2013-2019) for his work in the areas of Litigation (Labor & Employment) and Employment Law (Individuals and Management).  In addition, Mr. Katz has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2009 for his work in the area of Employee Litigation: Defense.  He is listed as one of Super Lawyers“Top 10 Connecticut Lawyers” (2013-2015) and “Top 50 Connecticut Lawyers”  (2012-2018).  Benchmark Litigation, The Definitive Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys, named Mr. Katz a “Local Litigation Star” in Connecticut (2011-2019), and a “Labor & Employment Star-Northeast” (2019), in areas including Employment and General Commercial Litigation. Mr. Katz often lectures on employment law topics and has authored numerous articles in this area.

A member of the American Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association (Executive Committee, Labor & Employment Section), and Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, Mr. Katz also has served on the faculty for the Connecticut Trial Advocacy Institute. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut; the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Active in the community, Mr. Katz currently serves as president of the board of directors of Camp Ramah in New England. He also served for many years as an associate national commissioner and on the regional executive committee of the Anti-Defamation League and on the board of directors of Ezra Academy. He is also a past-President of Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.

Mr. Katz received his B.A., cum laude, in 1989 from Brandeis University and his J.D. in 1992 from Boston University School of Law, where he served as articles editor of the American Journal of Law and Medicine.

JORDAN E. SALA is an associate in Cohen and Wolf’s Litigation and Employment & Labor Groups, and is resident in the firm’s Bridgeport office.

Prior to joining Cohen and Wolf, Ms. Sala served as an extern for the Business and Legal Affairs Division at NBC Sports. Throughout law school, she also completed internships at United Technologies Corporation – Pratt & Whitney Division, the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office, and the University of Connecticut’s Office of the Athletic Director.

Ms. Sala earned her B.A. in political science and communications from Vanderbilt University in 2013, and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2017. During law school, Ms. Sala served on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. She also served as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Student Bar Association, the Vice President of the Women Law Students’ Association, and was selected as one of four students to represent UConn Law at the Annual ABA Regional Negotiation Competition. Ms. Sala is the recipient of the CALI Academic Excellence Award in Legal and Cultural Issues in Cyberspace, and UConn Law’s Mediation Clinic where she mediated various labor and employment disputes pending before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

Ms. Sala is admitted to practice in Connecticut and is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association.