Public Justice is serving as co-counsel on a case with Attorneys Shelby Leighton and Hannah Kieschnick that centers on the Ending Forced Arbitration in Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA), a 2022 law designed to ensure that survivors of workplace sexual harassment or assault can choose to bring their cases to court, rather than be forced into private arbitration. Congress passed the EFAA to give victims a fairer path to justice and hold corporations accountable.
TikTok is challenging this protection. The company is attempting to compel a former executive into arbitration, despite her allegations of sex-based harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and other workplace violations. If successful, TikTok’s interpretation of the law could significantly narrow the protections of the EFAA, leaving many workers without the rights Congress intended to grant them.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will now decide key questions about how the EFAA should be applied. The court’s decision could shape how other courts across the country interpret this important law.
That’s why Public Justice’s work in this case is so essential. By standing with workers and pushing back against efforts to weaken the EFAA, they are ensuring that the law remains true to its purpose: protecting survivors and promoting accountability. Without trial lawyers and organizations like Public Justice, powerful corporations could more easily sidestep the very laws designed to keep them in check.
At Advocate Capital, we are proud to recognize and support the attorneys and advocates, like Public Justice, who take on these battles. Their work not only impacts the outcome of individual cases, but also sets important precedents that strengthen access to justice for all. To read more about this case or to support Public Justice, visit their website, publicjustice.net.
