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The firms response

Holland & Knight LLP Statement to St. Petersburg Times March 28, 2005

By Times Staff
Published March 29, 2005

Holland & Knight is firmly committed to fostering a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We have strict policies prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment in our work places. Our policies are more stringent than the requirements of applicable law.

The firm's Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC), which includes both lawyers and nonlawyers from throughout the firm, is charged with administering Holland & Knight's policy. That policy was established many years ago to provide an internal forum for resolving complaints of sexual harassment after a thorough investigation, and a full and fair evaluation, of the underlying facts.

This policy is founded on confidentiality - each participant pledges to maintain the strict confidentiality of all information shared with him or her and is assured of the strict confidential treatment by others of all statements made by such participant. A breach of confidentiality undermines the efficacy of the entire policy.

In the subject case, the firm's policy was adhered to in all respects. The serious breach of confidentiality in providing the FEPC report to the press in this case is most troubling in that it undercuts the very purpose of the firm's policy to protect the true victims of sexual harassment as well as persons unfairly targeted with complaints. It also recklessly and unfairly impugns the reputation of one of the firm's finest partners who cannot defend himself without violating the policy he has pledged to uphold.

[Last modified March 29, 2005, 05:54:30]