TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund: #MeToo for Low-wage Workers
Nicole Faut, Legal Fellow and Sharyn Tejani, Director, of the TIME’S UP legal Defense Fund
The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund formed to address the gaps in our legal landscape barring low wage workers and workers facing sexual harassment across every industry and state in the country from holding their harassers accountable. We want to help you harness the momentum of the #MeToo movement and direct it into action for workers.
Here is what the lawyers we have funded say:
TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund harnesses the momentum of the #MeToo movement and directs it into action for workers.
“My client was unable to continue her case and was going to dismiss her cause because she could no longer afford the attorney’s fees. Due to the funding, she has been able to continue her case”
“[My client] would not have been able to present her claims without the assistance of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. She could not have afforded legal counsel, and because her monetary damages were relatively small, I’m certain that no attorney would take the case on contingency fee”
“[The funding] has allowed us to litigate a case that our client was terrified of moving forward with as she was fearful of her former employer. . . with the [TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund] funding the case she felt more assured and confident about her case”
“[The funding] has assisted these women to not feel that they are a burden and in fact have national support for their concerns.”
“TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund assistance was imperative. Our client would not be able to fight the defamation lawsuit without it”
Any of these situations resonate with you?
You’re a lawyer who knows that there is a notorious manufacturing plant in your area where workers are being sexually harassed, but cannot work for free while you develop a case on behalf of workers seeking justice.
A nail salon worker reaches out to you to help them file a sexual harassment case, but you know the case will not make enough money to make it worth your time. Even a contingency fee option would make it difficult for you.
Your client who works at a fast food restaurant wants to talk about what happened to her, but you’re worried how public attention will impact your client and the case.
The domestic worker in your office bravely came forward and talked about being harassed; now the harasser is suing her for defamation.
We can help with all of these situations and more.
The TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund:
· connects workers who have experienced workplace sexual harassment with lawyers
· funds workplace harassment cases
· provides public relations assistance
· connects law students to assist attorneys on cases which have received funding
· provides advocacy and training tools
In sixteen months, we have:
· responded to over 4,000 requests for legal help
· committed to over $6.5 million dollars to fund over 100 cases
· helped place numerous stories in local and national media
· expanded the capacity of attorneys working on our cases
· provided training on navigating intersectional claims of sexual harassment and disability discrimination, LGBTQI+ communities and sex discrimination, and trauma informed advocacy
While the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund’s focus is on workplace sexual harassment , for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking, we can direct persons seeking help to other resources.
Funding – We Want to Fund Your Cases
TIME’S UP can help with funding, but also messaging and public relations
The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund will fund workplace sexual harassment cases in all stages. We can help fund your investigation, while you are in the EEOC process, when you are in litigation, and even appellate work.
From McDonald’s workers who fought back against sexual harassment in the fast food industry (going on to stage the first labor strike to target a US company in connection to #MeToo), five women of color who serve as paramedics in Chicago, a postal service worker harassed both because of her gender and disability, a Walmart worker who reported abuse and subsequently experienced retaliation, our funding has enabled workers from around the country to see their claims through.
Whether you have a workplace sexual harassment case which needs funding, your client would benefit from storytelling assistance, you are worried about a defendant coming after your client for defamation, or you would like to become a member of the Legal Network for Gender Equity, the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund is eagerly looking forward to hearing from you.
Email the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund.
