Katz Banks Kumin partner Alexis Ronickher was quoted in a Law360 article, “#MeToo Changed Workplaces, But That’s Just a Start.” A year after the New York Times and the New Yorker reported on Harvey Weinstein’s alleged assaults, the movement has brought down other offenders, and changed the way we view sexual harassment and assault.

“This year is going to be something that historians and social scientists and lawyers look back on as a real pivot point,” explained Ms. Ronickher. “We don’t yet know just how significant and long-lasting an effect it can have.”

The #MeToo movement generally refers to the encouragement of victims to share their stories, which has exposed the magnitude of the problem, and resulted in a wave of activism.

In real terms, Ms. Ronickher has seen employers be far more responsive to claims of sexual harassment now than in the past. And employer-side attorneys are more likely to view acts previously seen as minor slights as meeting the “severe or pervasive” standard required to have an actionable sexual harassment claim because today’s perception of harassment is far broader.

While #MeToo is far from accomplishing its goals, Ms. Ronickher is hopeful. “The fight for civil rights and equality in the workplace is never linear. We have to seize these moments.”

Read the full article here.