Legal Commentary: Joanna Grossman Archive

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE CLASSROOM: THE STUDENT SUING HER PROFESSOR FOR CALLING HER MONICA LEWINSKY
FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman discusses the ongoing sexual harassment case of a SUNY student who is suing her professor, his supervisors, and the university based on allegations that, in the classroom, the professor called her "Monica Lewinsky" and made comments to her such as "Shut up, Monica. I'll give you a cigar later." Grossman discusses both the likelihood of the student's being able to prove sexual harassment, and the difficult legal hurdles faced by plaintiffs who bring sexual harassment cases in the teacher-student context.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001

ADOPTING ADULTS: AN ESTATE PLANNING DEVICE FOR GAY PARTNERS
FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman discusses the interesting Florida trusts and estates case of Rickard v. McKesson. In this case, the deceased's gay lover -- an adult whom the deceased had adopted before he died -- seeks to claim the proceeds of his estate. But the deceased niece, seeking her own share of the estate, claims the adoption was invalid. Professor Grossman notes the benefits and the pitfalls, for gay partners in states where gay marriages and civil unions remain illegal, of using adult adoption as an estate planning device.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2001

INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIRTH CONTROL: THE EEOC SPEAKS
The EEOC's recent ruling requiring employers, in some circumstances, to provide insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives is likely to have nationwide repercussions. FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman explains the political and legal backdrop for the ruling; discusses the ruling's unusual reasoning (concluding that denial of such coverage is a form of pregnancy discrimination); and considers an alternative legal theory that might also provide a solid justification for the ruling.
Tuesday, Jan. 02, 2001

PREGNANCY AND PARTNERSHIP
FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman discusses a recent suit by a former law firm partner who alleges that she faced discrimination by the firm, due to her pregnancy. Professor Grossman examines the protections the law now provides for employees who suffer pregnancy discrimination; notes the trend to deny such protection to law firm partners on the grounds that they are not employees; and contends that female partners deserve such protections too, if the glass ceiling is ever to be shattered.
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000

BEAUTY AND THE BILLIONAIRE - PART I
In Part One of a two-part series, FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman explains the legal principles that govern the ongoing trial in which Anna Nicole Smith contests the final will of her wealthy, deceased husband -- who apparently attempted to disinherit her completely.
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000

BEAUTY AND THE BILLIONAIRE - PART II
In Part Two of a two-part series on the Anna Nicole Smith trial, FindLaw columnist and Hofstra law professor Joanna Grossman explains the intersection of Smith's prior win in bankruptcy court with the ongoing trial in Houston, and weighs Smith's likelihood of success in her current Texas trial.
Tuesday, Dec. 05, 2000

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN LAW FIRMS
Sexual harassment law has recently been clarified by the Supreme Court. Law firms face the same risks as other employers, and they can protect themselves in the same ways. So why don't they? Hofstra Professor and FindLaw columnist Joanna Grossman examines why the very firms that should know better are still hosts to harassers.
Friday, Nov. 10, 2000

WHAT'S IN A NAME? PART I
In Part One of a two-part series, Hofstra Law Professor and FindLaw Columnist Joanna Grossman explains why a New Jersey judge erred in ruling that a lesbian could not hyphenate her surname with her partner's.
Monday, Oct. 16, 2000

WHAT'S IN A NAME? PART II
In Part Two of a two-part series, Professor Grossman discusses the history of women's fight for the right to use their birth name during marriage or revert to it after divorce, and reflects on whether the sexist history of name changes should matter to same-sex couples.
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000

WHO WANTS AN ANNULMENT?
Drawing from the brief -- but by no means uneventful -- marriage of Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell, a Hofstra Law School professor explains the ins and outs of annulment.
Tuesday, Jul. 11, 2000