Katz Banks Kumin partner Debra Katz was the subject of a National Law Journal article titled, “Veteran DC Whistleblower Lawyer says she Reps ‘Good Guy’ in Weinstein Scandal.” Ms. Katz is representing Irwin Reiter, a longtime Weinstein Company executive, who has emerged as a major figure due to his reported objection of Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment of a temporary front-desk assistant named Emily Nestor.

According to The New Yorker’s report, Mr. Reiter reached out to Ms. Nestor in an attempt to apologize for Weinstein’s actions, and asked Ms. Nestor to let him know should Weinstein continue.

Ms. Katz is gratified to be working with Mr. Reiter: “Hopefully, this case will provide a tipping point and will empower women to come forward when they suffer sexual harassment and encourage men to object to this unlawful treatment of their coworkers,” said Ms. Katz. “This behavior is despicable and has to stop. I’m gratified to play the role I am playing in this case advising a male executive who had the courage to object to such behavior.”

The Weinstein Company has enlisted the services of Debevoise & Plimpton partner John Kiernan to perform an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations – an investigation Ms. Katz encourages her client to cooperate with.

Katz Banks Kumin has protected many whistleblowers who have suffered retaliation for exposing fraud at higher levels. Ms. Katz is motivated by a similar sentiment with regards to Mr. Reiter – “People who are willing to stick their necks out and support others in objecting to sexual harassment or other unlawful employment practices are also entitled to legal protection. I represent those individuals as well. In representing them, it’s my job to ensure that they face no retaliation for having done the right thing.”

Read the full story here (free registration required), and the full New Yorker Magazine article here.