‘Quiet Exit’ at the Center of Nasty Long Island Court Battle: What You Need to Know

The high-profile allegations come amid a bitter legal battle between a New York law firm and a lawyer it previously hired, accusing it of “quietly leaving.”

Napoli Shkolnik filed a lawsuit in Nassau County accusing Heather Palmor of doing next to nothing, failing to attract customers, and competing directly with the firm while also working for itself.

Palmor vehemently denies the allegations.

“In no shape or form have I quit. I give 100% every single day – not only to my clients, but also to my colleagues, ”Palmore said. “They said that in 2023 I did not work. I gave six statements, appeared in court, worked with my clients, prepared.”

Palmor’s lawyers say the lawsuit is retaliation for Palmor raising the issue of racial and gender discrimination at the firm.

“Napoli Shkolnik filed a lawsuit against her that is completely unfounded, completely fabricated, filled with lies, aimed at smearing a hardworking and courageous lawyer,” said David Gottlieb of Wigdor LLP. “They only did it because they knew that Ms. Palmore was going to file a discrimination lawsuit against them. The allegations are completely false.”

Palmore, who is black, alleges in a federal complaint that the lawyers at her former firm were “boorish bullies” and that she suffered and witnessed “flagrant discrimination based on race and disability by senior management,” calling it “standard operating procedure.” “

In costume, Palmor shows a picture of a stuffed panda hanging from a noose outside her office.

“When you talk about loops, you’re talking about a message,” said her attorney, Derek Sells of Cochran Firm. “That’s the message that we African Americans understand: you need to know your place or you’ll be hanged.”

An attorney for the firm told NBC New York in a statement that the bear, known in the office as “Panda Anda”, is the mascot of one of their clients, and that Palmor did not complain about the bear until 13 months later.

While the lawsuit accuses Palmor of idleness, she says the firm interfered with her work on cases and cut off her access to her computer.

“The very idea of ​​being marginalized and told that I had no experience in handling such cases was not only offensive, but also discriminatory,” Palmor said.

Napoli Shkolnik refused to speak on camera, saying they “won’t be incited to take these cases to the media” and that they “won’t let Palmor, who has refused to do an important job of serving our customers, be a distraction.”