A Consumer Protection and Employment Law Firm Serving California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

What’s the next step for the #MeToo movement?

323-690-1688
Table Of Contents
Summarize with
ChatGPT Claude Gemini Perplexity Grok
Nearly 2 ½ years after the New York Times and the New Yorker exposed the criminal behavior of Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement that resulted continues to impact social, legal and employment relationships and policies across the country. After decades of criminal behavior by the disgraced movie mogul, more than 100 of Weinstein’s victims and survivors came forward, resulting in convictions for rape and sexual assault, which led to a 23-year prison term. Weinstein currently awaits a second trial in Los Angeles.

What is the effect on employers?

Due to the Weinstein case and many others that resulted from the #MeToo movement, more people understand a broader definition of sexual harassment. Namely, where one victim exists, there are potentially many more, and misconduct can be documented in court by examples of prior behavior. Employers are more aware that predators may resort to illegal tactics to silence, intimidate and sabotage their victims – and those activities reflect poorly on the company. They also know that an organization’s integrity may be compromised by the unethical and criminal actions of executives and managers.

Giving victims a voice

While advancements have been seen, many companies still practice a culture of coverup when it comes to sexual harassment. It happens when human resource departments brand abuse victims as “troublemakers,” and companies offer payouts under nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) as a way to silence victims. But more victims are seeking to be released from NDAs, and companies are under more pressure to fire executives for misconduct, knowing that mishandling sexual harassment cases can result in lawsuits, federal investigations, damaging publicity and a decline in their market value amounting to years of repercussions.

#MeToo effects in California

Starting this year, the state of California took on the so-called “bro” culture by requiring that all executive boards in the state include at least one woman, and two to three female board members will be mandated by 2021. On a national level, NBC released all former sexual misconduct plaintiffs from their NDAs in October of 2019. At the same time, California banned forced arbitration to settle claims over sexual misconduct. Many believe that’s just the beginning of a legal and societal shift in addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Quick Navigation

Free Consultation

Undisclosed
Settlement

TCPA class action against the Los Angeles Times. Final approval granted 2014.

More Details
$750,000
Settlement

Common fund class-wide TCPA settlement against home healthcare provider. Final approval granted.

More Details
$27.6M
Settlement

TCPA class action certified on behalf of approximately 2,000,000 class members under Rule 23(b)(2) and (b)(3). Subsequently settled on a Rule 23(b)(2) and (b)(3) basis. Final approval granted.

More Details
$5.2M
Settlement

/

Unruh Act class action on behalf of approximately 240,000 consumers challenging Tinder’s age-based differential pricing for its subscription service. Final approval granted; subsequently went up on appeal.

More Details
$390,000
Settlement

TCPA class action alleging HD Supply sent unauthorized marketing text messages to consumers’ mobile phones without consent between October 21, 2011 and July 26, 2017. Presided over by Judge Fernando M. Olguin. Case terminated January 29, 2018.

More Details
$1,500,000
Settlement

/

TCPA class action against a Kansas-based payday lender alleged to have contacted consumers via prerecorded calls on their cell phones to collect alleged debts without consent. California federal judge granted final approval.

More Details
$6,500,000
Settlement

/

Cal. Penal Code § 632.7 class action certified by contested motion under Rule 23(b)(2) and (b)(3) on behalf of over 40,000 class members whose calls were recorded without their knowledge or consent. Final approval granted.

More Details
$13,000,000
Settlement

/

$13 Million Class action alleging HSBC recorded consumer telephone calls without knowledge or consent in violation of California’s Privacy Statute (Penal Code § 632.7). California Federal Judge granted final approval.

More Details
$34,000,000
Settlement

/

One of the largest TCPA class action settlements in U.S. history at time of approval. Alleged Chase used an automatic telephone dialing system to contact consumers on their cell phones without prior express consent from July 2008 through December 2013. Settlement class included over 32 million members. Final approval granted March 2016.

More Details
$150,000,000
Settlement

/

Class action on behalf of over 100,000 owners of GM vehicles equipped with allegedly defective LG-manufactured batteries posing fire and safety risks. Litigation commenced December 2020. U.S. District Judge Terrence G. Berg indicated preliminary approval of the $150 million settlement.

More Details
$100,000,000
Settlement

/ /

Landmark gig-economy class action. DoorDash drivers in California and Massachusetts alleged they were wrongly classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Firm served as class counsel. Final approval granted January 13, 2022 — the largest gig-economy worker class settlement in U.S. history at the time.

More Details

Schedule A Free Case Review

Why
Choose
Us

Premier Attorney To Defend Your Rights

With so many law firms in Southern California and throughout the United States, why choose the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman?
Todd Friedman has been named a 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Super Lawyer, a distinction of professional achievement and peer recognition.

Speak directly with attorney Todd Friedman about your case. Todd will evaluate your situation and provide prompt and straightforward feedback, saving you time and alleviating uncertainty.

Our firm has earned an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau, and has been accredited since 2010.

We are strong advocates for our clients and have the resources necessary to take on powerful opponents and win.

Contact Us

and start fighting back

We offer Free Initial Consultations.

If you have experienced a violation of your rights, call us at 323-690-1688 or fill out the form to the right →

Not ready to commit yet? Check out our Testimonials page and see what others have said about their experience
working with us!

 
Can We Text You At This Number?*

Office Locations

Los Angeles

View Location

Illinois

View Location

King of Prussia

View Location

Ohio

View Location

Free
Consultation

323-973-2580

Copyright 2025 Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy Disclaimer T&Cs Opt-Out Sitemap