Challenges in the Legal Tech Industry: Addressing Sexual Harassment Incidents
Amidst the glitz and glamour of legal tech events, numerous women, and some men, turned to social media to recount stories of sexual harassment and assault.
Stefanie Bier, a seasoned professional in the legal tech field, encountered a disturbing incident during the Legalweek conference in New York City. While out for dinner with colleagues, including Rachi and Shimmy Messing, an alarming encounter unfolded at a nearby bar.
As described by Rachi, the evening took a sudden turn when an intoxicated man approached Bier at the bar, persistently seeking her attention despite her clear disinterest.
Shimmy intervened to protect Bier, leading to a confrontation where the man, later identified as Robert Cruz, brandished a knife. Fortunately, the situation was defused, and Cruz was apprehended by the police.
Following the conference, a wave of similar accounts emerged on social media, shedding light on the pervasive nature of harassment within the industry. Women shared their experiences, highlighting the urgent need for change and accountability.
Incident Response and Industry Acknowledgment
After the incident involving Cruz, Reveal promptly terminated his employment, emphasizing their commitment to upholding company policies and standards.
Reveal clarified that Cruz’s presence at the venue was unrelated to company activities and that he was acting independently. Cruz now faces legal charges related to the incident.
In response to the allegations, ALM, the organizer of Legalweek, condemned any form of inappropriate behavior and reaffirmed their zero-tolerance stance on harassment and assault.
ALM’s proactive approach includes thorough investigations of reported incidents to ensure the safety and well-being of all event attendees.
As the legal tech industry grapples with these challenges, it is crucial for companies and individuals to prioritize a culture of respect and accountability to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Legal Tech Industry Challenges Explored at Legalweek
The recent Legalweek event, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at the New York Hilton Midtown, is hailed as the “Coachella” of the multibillion-dollar legal tech industry. This conference stands out as one of the largest gatherings in the sector, drawing praise from lawyers and legal tech professionals interviewed by NPR.
Describing Legalweek as the premier event for both large law firms and tech companies, industry veteran Sara Lord emphasized its significance in the realm of tech and innovation. Attendees can expect a bustling environment filled with various activities, networking opportunities, and insightful presentations, albeit at a considerable cost.
Comparing the event’s magnitude to renowned cultural festivals, Shimmy Messing likened Legalweek to South by Southwest or Coachella, highlighting its influence and appeal within the industry.
This year’s conference boasted an impressive attendance of around 6,000 individuals, including prominent figures such as judges and partners from leading law firms nationwide. Notably, even celebrities like Bryan Cranston, known for his role in Breaking Bad, graced the event as one of the keynote speakers, underscoring the conference’s broad appeal and relevance.
**Legal Tech Industry Challenges at Legalweek Conference**
**Legalweek Conference Highlights**
Legalweek’s annual conference drew approximately 6,000 attendees this year, showcasing prominent figures in the legal tech sector, including judges and partners from top law firms.
**Insights from Legalweek Conference**
Legalweek serves as a platform for marketing and sales teams, legal tech experts, judges, and corporate executives to engage in business transactions. According to Bier, significant financial exchanges and deals take place during the event, offering exposure to cutting-edge technology innovations.
**Social Gatherings at Legalweek**
Aside from the conference sessions, both official and unofficial events, which may involve alcohol consumption, are common during Legalweek. Reports of harassment incidents, including instances of sexual misconduct, have been linked to these external gatherings, reflecting a broader issue within the industry.
**Professional Networking at Legalweek**
In addition to the main conference, off-site events and sponsored parties at exclusive venues like the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center are integral parts of the experience. Attending such outings, particularly for newcomers in the field, is crucial for career advancement, as noted by Lord.
**Addressing Misconduct at Legalweek**
Concerns have been raised regarding inappropriate behavior at parties not officially endorsed by Legalweek. ALM’s response emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct, asserting that such actions have no place in any setting.
By shedding light on the challenges faced by the legal tech industry at the Legalweek conference, it becomes evident that addressing issues of harassment and misconduct remains a critical priority for the sector.
Unleashing a Wave of Revelations
After a troubling encounter with Cruz, Shimmy Messing turned to LinkedIn to disclose the alleged incident in two distinct posts. This action prompted more individuals to step forward and share their accounts of harassment and assault.
“It became evident to me quite rapidly that this was not an isolated occurrence,” he expressed. “Although what happened to me was an extreme form of escalation, it shed light on a more widespread issue that demanded attention.”
Noting the surge in individuals coming forward post-incident, Bier remarked, “The influx of revelations led many of us to reevaluate situations we had previously overlooked.”
“The severity of the incident encouraged both women and men to feel empowered to speak out,” Bier emphasized. “It bore resemblance to the #MeToo movement, where individuals found their voices. Witnessing this unfold was truly remarkable. Even the most prominent figures in the legal tech industry faced its repercussions.”
Impact of Sharing Harassment Stories in the Legal Tech Industry
Shimmy Messing’s decision to disclose the alleged incident details led to a wave of individuals stepping forward to share their own experiences of harassment and assault on various platforms, including group chats and LinkedIn.
Basak Gurbuz Derman/Getty Images
Shimmy Messing’s disclosure of the incident’s specifics encouraged more individuals to come forward with their harassment and assault accounts on group chats and LinkedIn.
Basak Gurbuz Derman/Getty Images
Deeanna Fleener, a vice president at Deloitte, also recounted numerous harassment incidents in a LinkedIn post, sparking significant interest and eliciting a flood of responses from women who emphasized that such accounts were not uncommon and were not limited to a single conference in New York.
Fleener shared, “In a group of 29 women, 20 had personal stories of inappropriate behavior at a conference.”
Here are some of the stories shared by Fleener:
“‘Last night, I was propositioned in the most graphic way I’ve ever heard. When I turned him down, he tried to convince me to leave with him by telling me his pregnant wife was on bedrest and I was doing her a favor.'”
“‘A leader at a firm showed me a video of 2 girls under 20 in his bedroom naked and invited me and the other woman I was with to join him.'”
Another female executive, Samantha Mather, detailed the challenges she faced in the legal tech industry over more than 15 years, ranging from being physically accosted at a company event to enduring numerous inappropriate comments and having to avoid one-on-one meetings with certain men in her field.
Mather mentioned that even when she enlisted two trusted male colleagues to support her as allies, some men continued to harass her or inquire about her relationship with the pair.
“You literally cannot win,” she expressed on LinkedIn.
Challenges in the Legal Tech Industry: Billions at Stake
Proposed Changes in Response to Legal Tech Industry Challenges
Amid increasing online discussions, industry experts like Fleener, the Messings, Bier, and Lord have put forward various suggestions to address and prevent harassment within Legalweek and the broader legal tech industry.
Suggestions include implementing restrictions on alcohol consumption at conference events and enhancing security measures at these gatherings, as recommended by the aforementioned individuals.
Expressing disappointment in ALM’s response, Bier, Shimmy, and Rachi Messing perceived the reaction as dismissive.
ALM’s Turney chose not to respond to this critique.
Bier emphasized the importance of organizations safeguarding their employees, citing Microsoft’s swift and supportive response to her own experience. She stressed the need for all employers to follow suit in providing adequate support.
“By attending this conference, participants should be prepared to adhere to alcohol limitations, eliminating open bars. Additionally, heightened security measures should be in place at all events,” Bier recommended.
Following the conference, Women in eDiscovery, a nonprofit dedicated to women professionals in legal and technology fields, announced an initiative aimed at raising awareness, promoting education, and ensuring safety at events, conferences, and workplaces.
A new campaign, the SPLASH (Service Providers Leading Against Sexual Harassment) Pledge, emerged post-Legalweek, urging companies to commit to addressing inappropriate behavior at conferences.
ALM confirmed implementing some changes as well.
“This marks a pivotal moment for the industry, and we are committed to driving positive and meaningful change,” stated Turney. ALM integrated its existing harassment policy into attendee registration, requiring all conference participants, including speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors, to acknowledge the code during registration. The company also updated sponsor and exhibitor terms to emphasize their anti-harassment stance.
Furthermore, ALM intends to develop an app enabling individuals to anonymously report any harassment incidents for prompt investigation.
Bier expressed optimism for forthcoming changes, emphasizing the necessity for cultural shifts to prevent future occurrences: “Until we alter the culture, these incidents will persist,” she remarked.
When it comes to the hurdles faced by the legal tech industry, there are various challenges that need to be addressed.
