On January 19, 2021, Wigdor LLP filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of Kellie Walker, a 50-year-old Black attorney, against MTA Bridges and Tunnels, a sub-agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (together, the “MTA”).
The lawsuit alleges that, horrifically, Ms. Walker has been subjected to aggressive and violent behavior by her direct supervisor Victor Muallem, a 60-year-old white male, including verbal abuse as well as a shocking and traumatizing incident in which Mr. Muallem allegedly physically assaulted Ms. Walker in the middle of an arbitration with seven people present, while she was in the process of cross-examining a witness.
Worse, although Ms. Walker reported the incident to the police and to MTA, nothing has been done, the Complaint alleges. Rather, in true hypocritical fashion, the MTA actively sought to silence Ms. Walker because she dared speak up about the workplace violence at the hands of her white male superior, as alleged in the Complaint. As alleged, Mr. Muallem continues to work as a supervising attorney and Ms. Walker is expected to act as if nothing happened.
The Complaint asserts multiple separate causes of action including, but not limited to, race and gender discrimination and retaliation in violation of federal, state and/or city laws, gender-motivated violence, assault and battery.
Kellie Walker claims the #MTA sought to silence her because she reported workplace violence by her male superior, Victor Muallem.
He continues to work as a supervising attorney and Ms. Walker is expected to act as if nothing happened, the suit alleges. https://t.co/EKQV0iAbia
— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) January 20, 2021
Ms. Walker is represented by Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen
Statement of Jeanne M. Christensen, Partner at Wigdor LLP:
“Kellie Walker deserves justice. The MTA should not be allowed to sit by and do nothing when a white male supervisor is credibly accused of assaulting a Black female employee, not to mention in the presence of multiple witnesses. We look forward to holding the MTA accountable for this appalling and discriminatory conduct and hope this lawsuit sends a loud message that no woman should ever have to live in fear of being in the same room as her male boss.”
New York Law Journal
“In-House Attorney at MTA Bridges and Tunnels Alleges Workplace Violence by Superior”
January 19, 2021
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New York Post
“MTA attorney alleges in lawsuit she was assaulted by supervisor”
January 19, 2021
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ABA Journal
“Lawsuit claims lawyer’s supervisor hit her during witness cross-examination”
January 20, 2021
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NBC New York
“Lawsuit: White MTA Supervisor Physically Assaulted Black Attorney During Arbitration”
January 21, 2021
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New York Daily News
“MTA ignored white supervisor’s assault of Black attorney: suit”
January 19, 2021
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Law360
“MTA Atty Says Supervisor Assaulted Her During Arbitration”
January 19, 2021
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Telemundo 47
“Abogada afroamericana agredido por supervisor blanco de la MTA durante disputa: Demanda”
January 21, 2021
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