Solutions

Wall Street’s Era of Secrecy for Harassment Claims Is Finally Over

New legislation will put sexual harassment and assault claims in front of judges and juries — but it doesn’t cover allegations of racial discrimination. 

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
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When Lee Stowell saw that Congress was banning mandatory arbitration for workplace sexual harassment and assault claims, it hit home.

Years ago, the former junk-bond saleswoman sued her boss, a colleague and Cantor Fitzgerald, accusing them of harassment, discrimination and retaliation — allegations they denied. Instead of going to court, Stowell, like so many before her, was forced into arbitration’s shadow legal system.