Would Potential Lawsuit Lose Me My Job? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have an offer from a Vault firm for the summer. Just found out last night an old high school friend turned mortal enemy tweeted about me five years after our last contact. She accused me of stalking her while we were in high school in this tweet. Back when this allegation was actually investigated (2009-2014 is the rough range), I met with a police officer, told my side of the story, turned over any texts between us, and was told that I had not done anything wrong.

Just a few days ago, this woman tweeted that I would "never be safe" and that she is "very loud," and also stated specifically that I stalked her for a period of months. This is entirely false. I am terrified that she could jeopardize my career by raising these allegations publicly. Thus, I would like to put a permanent end to it. I've contacted an attorney and he says we actually have a case for defamation per se (stalking is a crime in my state). They've told me we should be able to get nominal damages (retraction, etc.) and possibly punitive damages.

My question is, if I bring this lawsuit (especially in this era) am I risking my job at my firm? Will this potential publicity (I have no doubt this woman would take to social media very quickly) reach my firm via a background check or anything? I feel like I have to defend myself here, because if I win this case she won't be able to hold these accusations over my head. But I'm terrified I might jeopardize the job I worked so hard to get - what are your thoughts TLS?

Update: Attorney has suggested sending a Cease and Desist letter rather than filing a suit. Also may examine getting a protective order since this is targeted harassment.

[QContinuum]

From your post, the woman is actively tweeting about you (I assume including your full name). I'm not sure what more she could do if you sue her - send out more tweets? I don't think the NYT would run a story - stalking allegations are a dime a dozen, and you're hardly a public figure.

[Anonymous User]

From your post, the woman is actively tweeting about you (I assume including your full name). I'm not sure what more she could do if you sue her - send out more tweets? I don't think the NYT would run a story - stalking allegations are a dime a dozen, and you're hardly a public figure.

Yes my full name is being included. I'm just nervous that a firm background check or an escalation on her end could put me on the firm's radar. Firms are so image-obsessed that I'm concerned of being viewed as a liability if I file a civil complaint. In all likelihood we would settle, but this woman will more likely relish the attention rather than back down - I feel that I have to do this to stop her from holding these accusations over my head for potential decades, but I don't want this to go viral or get negative attention on me from my firm or the state bar.

[Anonymous User]

If you do nothing, chances are the firm will never find out.

If you sue her, it’ll have to be reported on your bar app and will probably show up in a background check.

May be shooting yourself in the foot

[Anonymous User]

If you do nothing, chances are the firm will never find out.

If you sue her, it’ll have to be reported on your bar app and will probably show up in a background check.

May be shooting yourself in the foot

Right but what if I'm about to make partner and she accuses me? What if I'm running for an elected position and she accuses me? Do I have to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder?

[QContinuum]

If you do nothing, chances are the firm will never find out.

If you sue her, it’ll have to be reported on your bar app and will probably show up in a background check.

May be shooting yourself in the foot

Right but what if I'm about to make partner and she accuses me? What if I'm running for an elected position and she accuses me? Do I have to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder?

Is this actually an attempt to discuss Kavanaugh masquerading as a Legal Employment post?

[Anonymous User]

If you do nothing, chances are the firm will never find out.

If you sue her, it’ll have to be reported on your bar app and will probably show up in a background check.

May be shooting yourself in the foot

Right but what if I'm about to make partner and she accuses me? What if I'm running for an elected position and she accuses me? Do I have to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder?

Is this actually an attempt to discuss Kavanaugh masquerading as a Legal Employment post?

OP Here: I SWEAR it isn't. In fact it's not as crazy of a coincidence as it may seem. The woman accusing me is very VERY liberal - very involved in #MeToo stuff both on and offline, tweets about how communism is amazing, tweets about the patriarchy very frequently, tweeted that "all abusers must die." I think she was very heavily inspired by the MeToo stuff as well as the Kavanaugh hearings, which might have brought about this long-dormant line of attack. I'm not sure.

[Anonymous User]

Right but what if I'm about to make partner and she accuses me? What if I'm running for an elected position and she accuses me? Do I have to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder?

Why don't you worry about these issues when you actually get there? If you try to solve the problem now by suing, you might never get there because firms might no longer want you even as a summer associate/associate.

[Anonymous User]

Contact twitter and report the behavior. Have her account shut down.

[QContinuum]

IMO this is above TLS' paygrade. We're good with law school/firm application/interviewing/selection advice. We're not really in a position to provide legal advice re how best to respond to a stalking allegation.

OP, you should consult with your lawyer re what action, if any, you should take right now. If your lawyer isn't familiar with BigLaw, you should consult with an employment lawyer who does have such familiarity. You should also mention to your lawyer your concern that you may become a high profile or public figure many years down the road. Ask your lawyer whether/how this might change their advice.

[Anonymous User]

Contact twitter and report the behavior. Have her account shut down.

I've tried this - they will not delete the Tweet