Practice areas: Employment Litigation
Licensed in New York since: 1994
Education: The University of Maryland School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2026 Wigdor LLP
85 Fifth AvenueFL 5
New York, NY 10003 Phone: 212-257-6800 Email: Jeanne Christensen Visit website
Details 
Jeanne M. Christensen is a Partner at Wigdor LLP. Ms. Christensen is one of the most prominent female attorneys within the field of employment litigation, having represented thousands of plaintiffs in federal and state workplace disputes including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of gender, race, age, pregnancy, disability, LGBT+ status and/or religion, whistleblower retaliation, defamation and wage and hour violations. Ms. Christensen concentrates her practice in class and collective actions on behalf of plaintiffs in employment and consumer cases. She has successfully arbitrated numerous matters on behalf of securities industry professionals and defrauded consumers before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Ms. Christensen represents clients from a wide variety of professions including, but not limited to, the financial services industry, the media and entertainment industry, the restaurant and hospitality industry, and corporate entities.
Ms. Christensen is known for being a fervent supporter of women’s rights in the workplace. Her reputation includes representing female plaintiffs in some of the most widely-publicized cases involving sexual harassment, unequal pay, and gender and pregnancy discrimination in recent years. She is also an active member of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund’s attorney network, the National Association of Consumer Advocates and Public Justice. Ms. Christensen’s tenacious pursuit of justice on behalf of victims of workplace misconduct has earned plaudits from former clients and opposing counsel alike, who often recommended her to victims seeking highly skilled legal counsel.
Publicity
Ms. Christensen’s handling of numerous high-profile employment cases has resulted in frequent media appearances including CNN, Good Morning America, Megyn Kelly Today, Access Hollywood, the BBC, NPR, NBC, ABC, CBS and more. She is regularly quoted as a legal expert in leading national print and digital media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, New York Law Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, TIME Magazine, Vanity Fair, Huffington Post, Financial Times, Barron’s, Law360, The Guardian, The Chicago Tribune, Adweek, CNET, Recode and many more. Due to her work handling prominent sexual harassment and gender discrimination cases, Ms. Christensen has appeared in a feature profile about her career in The American Lawyer.
Ms. Christensen is also an author and lecturer on various employment-related subjects. Because of her extensive litigation experience, she is a highly sought-after speaker, having appeared as a distinguished panelist at numerous national legal seminars and conferences, including events hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA), the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the American Conference Institute (ACI).
Notable Cases
Ms. Christensen has been involved in the litigation of many large, complex and high-profile matters. Currently, she represents the plaintiffs a proposed class action against Avon, which is the first lawsuit of its kind to be filed on behalf of a proposed class of female employees that have needed to pump breast milk during work hours (the “Breast Pumping Class”). Ms. Christensen also represents the plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging systemic gender discrimination and unequal pay at Point72 Asset Management, which was lauded by The New York Times as “among the most prominent to accuse a major Wall Street firm of workplace misconduct amid a national reckoning on sexual harassment.”
Education
Ms. Christensen received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School Of Law. She attended Smith College and graduated with a B.A. in History and Economics, cum laude, from the University of Vermont.
Admitted to Practice
- US. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Member of the bar, New York and Maryland
First Admitted: 1992, Maryland
Professional Webpage: https://www.wigdorlaw.com/portfolio/jeanne-m-christensen/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Admitted to the Bar of the State of Maryland., 1993
- Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York., 1994
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Successful representation of executive assistant in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and failure to pay overtime against one of the largest real estate firms in New York City., 2018
- Successful representation of a nurse in connection with claims of race discrimination and retaliation against a New York hospital., 2018
- Successful representation of a radio correspondent in a sexual harassment action against a New York radio station., 2018
- Successful representation of individual plaintiff in connection with claims of gender discrimination and unequal pay against a large insurance company., 2017
- Successful representation of a former Vice President of Sales in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against an international design company., 2017
- Successful representation of a former fitness instructor in an age discrimination matter against a boutique fitness studio., 2017
- Successful representation of an executive assistant in a race discrimination and retaliation action against a management consulting firm., 2017
- Successful representation of administrator in a sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation action against a private New York primary school, 2017
- Reached settlement agreement in an individual disability discrimination action against an international law firm., 2016
- Successful representation of a loan officer who alleged race, age discrimination and retaliation against a national mortgage lender., 2016
- Successful representation of an executive in a sexual harassment matter against a large advertising company., 2016
- Successful representation of female executive assistants in a sexual harassment matter against a large, multinational financial services firm;, 2015
- Reached settlement agreement on behalf of multiple plaintiffs in a race discrimination and retaliation action against an international beverage company., 2015
- Represented consumers in breach of contract claims against major financial institution.
- Lead counsel in three class actions against national parking garage companies on behalf of individuals whose vehicles were destroyed during Hurricane Sandy
- Multiple settlement agreements in individual and class-action racial profiling lawsuits against some of the largest department and retail stores in the United States;
- Lead counsel in class action representing thousands of residential tenants against international real estate developer
- Numerous settlement agreements on behalf of more than one thousand current and former service employees in wage and hour class actions against popular New York City restaurants;
- Representation of numerous female employees with pregnancy discrimination claims against major companies and institutions.
Videos
- On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen was interviewed by Bloomberg TV host Emily Chang about recent decisions made by companies such as Google, Facebook and Airbnb to end the use of mandatory arbitration in connection with claims of sexual harassment and sexual assault., Google Ends Forced Arbitration for Sexual Harassment: Jeanne Christensen on Bloomberg TV, Technology, Law, 2018
- On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in response to an Open Letter filed by 14 Wigdor LLP clients who alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers, Uber announced that it ended its policy of mandatory arbitration for individual civil claims of assault and battery. However, the policy change does not include class actions—a move that legal experts say is problematic. Jeanne M. Christensen was featured on CNN with Wolf Blitzer discussing the case., Uber Ends Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assaults - Jeanne Christensen on CNN w/ Wolf Blitzer, 2018
- On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, four victims represented by Wigdor LLP were interviewed live on NBC’s Megyn Kelly Today, along with attorney Jeanne M. Christensen, who represents the victims. In addition to sharing their individual stories of sexual assault, the four women also discussed an Open Letter that they—along with 10 other victims—sent to Uber’s Board of Directors, asking Uber to allow the case to proceed in federal court rather than attempt to compel their claims to confidential arbitration., Uber Sexual Assault Victims Speak Out on Megyn Kelly Today, 2018
- At least 103 Uber drivers have been accused of kidnapping, sexual harassment, sexual assault and/or rape by their passengers, according to a CNN investigative report published Monday, April 30, 2018., Uber Assault Victims Speak Out: 103 Uber Drivers Accused of Sexual Misconduct - Jeanne Christensen on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, 2018
- On April 12, 2018, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that Uber would be implementing new passenger safety features in the following months. The announcement comes after Wigdor LLP filed a widely-publicized class action lawsuit against Uber alleging that thousands of female passengers have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault and/or rape at the hands of their Uber drivers as a result of the company’s overly-lenient driver background checks., Uber Announces New Safety Features Amid Sexual Assault Class Action - Jeanne Christensen on NBC, 2018
- On Friday, May 25, 2018, disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein surrendered to a New York City police station and was charged with rape and a criminal sexual act in connection with accusations by two women, according to reports. Weinstein was arraigned on three felony counts: three felony counts: first-degree rape, third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act tied to alleged incidents in 2004 and 2013. Jeanne M. Christensen, Partner at Wigdor LLP and attorney for multiple Weinstein accusers, said in an interview with CBS, "To get to this point, it means the prosecutors feel that they have very strong evidence to prosecute him with.", Harvey Weinstein Surrenders to NY Authorities - Jeanne Christensen on CBS, 2018
- Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen interviewed on BBC Radio regarding The Weinstein Company's announcement that it would file for bankrupcy., The Weinstein Company Bankruptcy Could Impact Victims - Jeanne Christensen on BBC Radio, 2018
- On Wednesday, December 21, 2017, Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen was interviewed on WABC Radio wherein she discussed allegations of defamation and breach of contract against Fox News and former Fox host Bill O’Reilly., Bill O'Reilly Defamation Lawsuit: Jeanne M. Christensen on WABC Radio, 2017
- On Thursday, November 30, 2017, Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen was interviewed by Access Hollywood on the subject of explosive sexual harassment allegations recently lodged against NBC's 'Today' show co-host Matt Lauer., Access Hollywood: Matt Lauer Sexual Assault Allegations - Interview with Jeanne Christensen, 2017
- On November 14, 2017, Wigdor LLP filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. alleging that countless female riders have reported rapes, sexual assaults and gender-motivated violence at the hands of their Uber drivers, but Uber has done nothing to make rides safer. Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen was interiewed on Good Morning America discussing the lawsuit., Uber Class Action: Two Female Plaintiffs Claim Sexual Assault - Jeanne Christensen on Good Morning America, 2017
Representative Clients
- Represented finance executive Lauren Bonner, named "The Face of #MeToo on Wall Street" by The New Yorker in a gender discrimination and unequal pay lawsuit filed against hedge fund Point72 Asset Management and its founder Steven A. Cohen. The lawsuit was lauded by The New York Times as "among the most prominent to accuse a major Wall Street firm of workplace misconduct amid a national reckoning on sexual harassment.", 2018
- Represented a class of women in a proposed pregnancy discrimination class action lawsuit against New Avon LLC, the first lawsuit of its kind to be filed on behalf of a proposed class of women that have needed to pump breast milk during work hours., 2018
Pro bono / Community Service
- Ms. Christensen is an active member of Public Justice and supports the organization's pursuit of high-impact lawsuits to challenge predatory corporate conduct and government abuses., 2018
- For over 10 years, Ms. Christensen has served as a volunteer member of the New York State Surrogate Decision Making Committee program, an alternative to the court system for individuals who lack capacity to provide informed consent, do not have a legally authorized decision maker to act on their behalf and are in need of non-emergency major medical procedures or end-of-life decision making. In this role, Ms. Christensen regularly serves on 3-person volunteer panels consisting of an attorney (herself), a medical professional and a social worker. The panel is trained to review an individual's case documents, and in some instances meet with the individual, to determine the best course of action when a major medical procedure is needed and the individual cannot provide informed consent due to mental illness or other disability., 2018
Educational Background
- Ms. Christensen graduated with a B.A. in History and Economics, cum laude, from the University of Vermont.
- Ms. Christensen received her Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Maryland School Of Law, and a member of the Maryland Law Review., 1992
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Of late, high-profile cases of alleged sexual harassment in the workplace have received substantial mediacoverage. Are these cases the tip of the iceberg when it comes to harassment across all segments of theworking population? A distinguished panel will provide a comprehensive discussion of how sexual harassmentclaims are addressed in the “Me Too” environment., Co-panelist, People Behaving Badly: Disassembling the Culture of Sexual Harassment, AAA-ICDR Board & Council, New York Law School and Cornell Scheinman Institute Conference, 2018
- Rampant stories of sexual harassment in the news and across social media have led to a significant need for attorneys proficient in the cutting-edge use of litigating claims, defenses, compliance, and regulatory issues. Law firms, corporate clients, government entities, Board of Directors, and employers have an unprecedented need today to draft and institute effective policies, while mitigating allegations. At the same time, counsel for victims need to master winning arguments, reporting procedures, investigation techniques, and the latest legal issues in this rapidly expanding & changing practice. The faculty for this program features three nationally recognized experts on the subject. This comprehensive program will introduce you to the most relevant issues and practical solutions, including successful claims, employer responses, compliance & avoidance strategies, role of social media in court, and investigation tools. The faculty will also cover the changes and progress on the current legal developments and future regulations. Registration includes online access to course and reference materials that serve as a helpful guide to the numerous topics and techniques discussed in the program., Presenter, Mastering Sexual Harassment Claims & Defenses CLE, Rossdale CLE, 2018
- Third-party funding, whether for the benefit of plaintiffs, corporate defendants or contingency fee attorneys in both domestic and international disputes is on the rise. Traditionally, contingency fee attorneys have advanced litigation expenses, including their fees, which can be seen as a form of litigation funding. What effects do these practices have on decisions to settle including mediation negotiations and agreements? What can be done to ensure that the parties retain control of strategic and settlement decisions?, Co-presenter, Is Third-Party Funding the Elephant in the Room?, American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference, 2018
- The most effective ways we can get our companies to be more supportive of women; whether that's rallying large groups, getting management onboard, or using the law to get what you want., Co-panelist, The Changemakers, Ladies Get Paid 2018 Conference, 2018
- Workplace bullying has been an issue that employers have battled with, and the complexity of bullying scenarios has complicated any successful legislative action. While the law offers protection to people who are mistreated for belonging to protected groups such as age, race, nationality, religious belief, gender, and disability, it does not offer protection where an employee is mistreated for any other reason. The lack of state or federal legislation dealing specifically with workplace bullying creates confusion for both employees and employers. The strain that workplace bullying places on employees, and the attendant costs to employers, is enormous. Legislatures in 30 states have introduced bills to address the issue, but not one has yet been passed into law. Such legislation, often titled “The Healthy Workplace Bill,” attempts to define what constitutes an “abusive work environment,” provide an avenue for legal redress for employees, and at the same time, offer employers protection if they have engaged in proactive steps to address bullying. This course, presented by Jeanne Christensen, Partner at Wigdor LLP in New York City, reviews the legal protection offered to employees for workplace bullying, addresses some of the pending legislation on workplace bullying, and offers practical guidance for employers on what they need to know about workplace bullying. This course outlines the national landscape, and will refer to the status of legislation in a number of states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Texas and California., Presenter, The Cost of Bullying in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know, Lawline CLE, 2017
- ACI's 29th National Forum on Wage & Hour Claims & Class Actions, Moderator, Interactive “Ask the Plaintiff’s Bar” Session: Adapt Your Strategies to New and Innovative Techniques Being Brought by Your Adversaries Specifically in the Wage Context, American Conference Institute, 2017
- As a female partner at a leading employment discrimination law firm, Ms. Christensen confirms that Maureen Sherry accurately depicts the gender bias and sexual harassment that remain rampant in the financial services industry., Author, Opinion | How Women are Treated on Wall Street, The New York Times, 2016
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Jeanne M. Christensen filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Avon Products, Inc. (“Avon”) alleging that Avon failed to live up to its branding as “the company for women” by refusing to accommodate pregnant and/or nursing employees. The lawsuit is the first of its kind to be filed on behalf of a proposed class of female employees that have needed to pump breast milk during work hours., 2018
- In response to a lawsuit filed by Jeanne M. Christensen on behalf of a proposed class of women who alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers, Uber announced that it was ending its policy of mandatory arbitration for individual claims of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Rideshare company Lyft quickly followed suit and ended its own mandatory arbitration policy., 2018
- Ms. Christensen was featured in a documentary, titled The Reckoning: Hollywood's Worst Kept Secret, in which she discusses sexual assault allegations made against disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein. The documentary includes first-hand accounts of women who were victimized by Mr. Weinstein's sexual misconduct., 2018
- On May 7, 2018, Jeanne M. Christensen appeared in a feature profile about her career in The American Lawyer titled, "Can Wigdor's Jeanne Christensen Make Uber Pay?". According to the profile, "the sole female partner at plaintiffs firm Wigdor LLP has been in the middle of some of the biggest cases of the #MeToo era.", 2018
Honors
- Received Avvo's highest rating., 10.0 "Superb" Rating, Avvo, 2018
Industry Groups
- Finance
- Legal
- Technology
Office location for Jeanne Christensen
85 Fifth Avenue
FL 5
New York, NY 10003
Selections
7 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2026