Courts and the Profession Policing Sexual Harassment Internally

Sexual harassment is being reported everywhere—including within the legal industry. Ninth Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski’s resignation in the wake of sexual harassment claims from his former clerks led to a revision of the federal Law Clerk Handbook to clarify that confidentiality rules in chambers do not prevent reporting of “misconduct, including sexual or other forms of harassment, by their judge or any person.”

Meanwhile, in his 2017 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts called for an evaluation of how the judicial branch handles sexual harassment allegations.

As more members of the bar join the #MeToo movement, a spotlight has been placed on sexual harassment in the legal community. Leaders of the ABA Section of Litigation say they are aware the problem needs to be addressed and are committed to identifying solutions.