Case: Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

1:06-cv-15295 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: Dec. 18, 2006

Closed Date: 2012

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Case Summary

On December 18, 2006, three female, officer-level, former employees filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all current and former female officers and officer equivalents employed by Willis Holdings Group, Ltd. since 1998. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII, the Human Rights Laws of the State and City of New York, and the New York Administrative Code § 8-107 against Willis Holdings, Ltd. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for a permanent injunction prohibiting the company and its employees from engaging in discriminatory practices, back pay and other job benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys' fees, claiming that the company had discriminated against them on the basis of sex. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that Willis Group knew about the existence of a glass ceiling but did nothing to remedy it, had a pattern of paying female employees substantially less than male employees doing similar work, refused to consider female candidates for promotions, steered more business toward male employees, required females to complete a higher volume of work than similarly situated males, scrutinized females more heavily than similarly situated males, and terminated female employees who brought attention to the discrimination.

On September 17, 2007, the Court (Judge Gerard E. Lynch) denied a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants, finding that the plaintiffs had not met the administrative requirements for maintaining a Title VII lawsuit or alternatively, that the plaintiffs' claims were subject to mandatory arbitration.

On July 3, 2008, the plaintiffs submitted an amended complaint containing additional individual allegations for two of the named plaintiffs, neither of whom stated any individual allegations in the initial complaint. The additional allegations reference discriminatory hiring practices, compensation, promotions, and treatment in the workplace.

On November 20, 2008, Judge Lynch granted the defendant's motion to compel arbitration for the individual claims of one of the named plaintiffs and dismissed those claims from the lawsuit, due to a prominent arbitration clause in her employment contract.

On October 18, 2011, Judge Lynch filed a preliminary approval order, certifying, for settlement purposes, a proposed class of women employed in Willis Group's New York office in officer or officer-equivalent positions between 2002 and 2007.

On December 19, 2011, Judge Lynch approved the consent decree. Willis Group agreed to conduct performance evaluations of all its employees based on observable behavior, set forth in writing the criteria on which compensation decisions are made, post vacancies so that all current employees may apply, investigate all discrimination claims made to Human Resources in a timely manner, and submit any changes in policy to a court-approved monitor. In addition, Willis Group agreed to pay $11,595,030.85 to members of the class. The amount included attorneys' fees.

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Summary Authors

Katherine Reineck (2/1/2015)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5040024/parties/cronas-v-willis-group-holdings-ltd/

Judge(s)

Berman, Richard M. (New York)

Freeman, Debra Carol (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Fink, Rosalind (New York)

Herbst, Robert L. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Brown, Jeremy Miller (New Jersey)

Judge(s)

Berman, Richard M. (New York)

Freeman, Debra Carol (New York)

Lynch, Gerard E. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Fink, Rosalind (New York)

Herbst, Robert L. (New York)

Webber, Christine E. (District of Columbia)

Yakren, Sofia (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Brown, Jeremy Miller (New Jersey)

Plevan, Bettina Barasch (New York)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1:06-cv-15295 1:01-cv-06558	Docket [PACER]	March 14, 2012	March 14, 2012 Docket
1 1:06-cv-15295	Complaint Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. et al	Dec. 18, 2006	Dec. 18, 2006 Complaint
16 1:06-cv-15295	Opinion on Motion to Dismiss Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. et al	Sept. 17, 2007	Sept. 17, 2007 Order/Opinion 2007 WL 2739769
30 1:06-cv-15295	First Amended Complaint Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd.	July 3, 2008	July 3, 2008 Complaint
41 1:06-cv-15295	Opinion on Motion to Enlarge Discovery Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. et al	Oct. 8, 2008	Oct. 8, 2008 Order/Opinion 2008 WL 4548861
46 1:06-cv-15295	Opinion on Motion to Compel Arbitration Cronas v. Willis Group Holding, Ltd. et al	Nov. 20, 2008	Nov. 20, 2008 Order/Opinion 2008 WL 4964695
131-1 1:06-cv-15295	Consent Decree Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd.	May 6, 2011	May 6, 2011 Order/Opinion
142 1:06-cv-15295	Preliminary Approval Order Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. et al	Oct. 18, 2011	Oct. 18, 2011 Order/Opinion 2011 WL 5007976
153 1:06-cv-15295	Decision Cronas v. Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. et al	Dec. 19, 2011	Dec. 19, 2011 Order/Opinion 2011 WL 6778490

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5040024/cronas-v-willis-group-holdings-ltd/

Last updated April 6, 2025, 2:14 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., Willis of North America, Inc., Willis of New York, Inc., Willis of New Jersey, Willis of Masachusetts. (jbe, ) (Entered: 12/20/2006)	Dec. 19, 2006	Dec. 19, 2006
	CASE REFERRED TO Judge Gerard L. Lynch as possibly related to 01−6558. (jbe, ) (Entered: 12/20/2006)	Dec. 19, 2006	Dec. 19, 2006
	Summons Issued	Dec. 19, 2006	Dec. 19, 2006
	Case Referred as Possibly Related/Similar	Dec. 19, 2006	Dec. 19, 2006
1	Complaint	Dec. 19, 2006	Dec. 19, 2006 RECAP
	CASE ACCEPTED AS RELATED TO 01−cv−6558. Notice of Assignment to follow. (kco, ) (Entered: 01/04/2007)	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
	Magistrate Judge Debra C. Freeman is so designated. (kco, ) (Entered: 01/04/2007)	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
	Mailed notice to the attorney(s) of record of case assignment. (kco, ) (Entered: 01/04/2007)	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
	Case Accepted as Related	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
	Case Designation	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
	Mail Notice to Attorney(s)	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
2	Notice of Case Assignment/Reassignment	Dec. 27, 2006	Dec. 27, 2006
3	Summons Returned Executed	Jan. 18, 2007	Jan. 18, 2007
4	Motion to Dismiss	Feb. 6, 2007	Feb. 6, 2007
5	Declaration in Support of Motion 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Exhibit C View on PACER	Feb. 6, 2007	Feb. 6, 2007
6	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion 2 Appendix 1 View on PACER 3 Appendix II View on PACER 4 Appendix III View on PACER 5 Appendix IV View on PACER 6 Appendix V View on PACER	Feb. 6, 2007	Feb. 6, 2007
7	Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement	Feb. 6, 2007	Feb. 6, 2007
8	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion 2 Appendix I View on PACER 3 Appendix II View on PACER 4 Appendix III View on PACER 5 Appendix IV View on PACER 6 Appendix V View on PACER	Feb. 7, 2007	Feb. 7, 2007
9	Notice of Appearance	Feb. 7, 2007	Feb. 7, 2007
10	Affidavit of Service Other	Feb. 27, 2007	Feb. 27, 2007
11	Endorsed Letter	March 8, 2007	March 8, 2007
12	Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion	March 21, 2007	March 21, 2007
13	Affirmation in Opposition to Motion	March 21, 2007	March 21, 2007
14	Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	April 2, 2007	April 2, 2007
15	Order	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
16	OPINION AND ORDER #95201: Plaintiff Adrianne Cronas brings this employment discrimination class action against her former employer Willis Group Holdings, and its affiliated entities (collectively, "Willis"). Plaintiff alleges a pattern and practice of sex discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2 et seq. ("Title VII"), and related state and city laws. Defendants move to dismiss plaintiffs Title VII claims, arguing that plaintiff has not satisfied the administrative requirements for maintaining a Title VII claim, or alternatively, that plaintiffs discrimination claims are subject to mandatory arbitration. Defendants motion will be denied. For the foregoing reasons, defendants' motion is denied. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Gerard E. Lynch on 9/17/2007) (jmi) Modified on 9/19/2007 (Martin, Leslie).	Sept. 17, 2007	Sept. 17, 2007 RECAP
17	Motion for Certificate of Appealability	Oct. 17, 2007	Oct. 17, 2007
18	Declaration in Support of Motion 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Exhibit C View on PACER	Oct. 17, 2007	Oct. 17, 2007
19	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	Oct. 17, 2007	Oct. 17, 2007
20	Order	Oct. 22, 2007	Oct. 22, 2007
21	Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion	Nov. 5, 2007	Nov. 5, 2007
22	Answer to Complaint	Nov. 6, 2007	Nov. 6, 2007
23	Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	Nov. 12, 2007	Nov. 12, 2007
24	Protective Order	Nov. 19, 2007	Nov. 19, 2007
25	Order on Motion for Certificate of Appealability	Dec. 28, 2007	Dec. 28, 2007
26	Order	Feb. 5, 2008	Feb. 5, 2008
27	Protective Order	March 5, 2008	March 5, 2008
28	Stipulation and Order	June 27, 2008	June 27, 2008
29	Order	July 3, 2008	July 3, 2008
30	Amended Complaint 2 Summons View on PACER	July 3, 2008	July 3, 2008
31	Endorsed Letter	July 21, 2008	July 21, 2008
32	Motion to Compel Arbitration	Aug. 7, 2008	Aug. 7, 2008
33	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	Aug. 7, 2008	Aug. 7, 2008
34	Declaration in Support of Motion 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit B View on PACER	Aug. 7, 2008	Aug. 7, 2008
35	Answer to Amended Complaint	Aug. 7, 2008	Aug. 7, 2008
36	Order	Aug. 20, 2008	Aug. 20, 2008
37	Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion	Sept. 15, 2008	Sept. 15, 2008
38	Affirmation in Opposition to Motion 2 Exhibit Exhibit A - Original Complaint View on PACER 3 Exhibit Exhibit B - AAA Rules for Class Arbitrations View on PACER	Sept. 15, 2008	Sept. 15, 2008
39	Affidavit in Opposition to Motion	Sept. 15, 2008	Sept. 15, 2008
40	Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	Sept. 26, 2008	Sept. 26, 2008
41	OPINION AND ORDER #96631: For the reasons set forth in this order, plaintiffs request that discovery be enlarged to include documents relating to the compensation and promotions of officers and officer equivalents at Willis Group and all is subsidiar ies nationwide is denied. As discovery has not yet closed, plaintiffs may review their request at a later date should such as an application be appropriate based on newly discovered evidence. The clerk of the court is respectfully requested to docket the joint letter and accompanying exhibits attached to this order. (Signed by Judge Gerard E. Lynch on 10/8/08) (mme) Modified on 10/10/2008 (mro).	Oct. 8, 2008	Oct. 8, 2008 RECAP
42	Letter	Oct. 9, 2008	Oct. 9, 2008
43	Exhibit	Oct. 9, 2008	Oct. 9, 2008
44	Exhibit	Oct. 9, 2008	Oct. 9, 2008
45	Scheduling Order	Nov. 17, 2008	Nov. 17, 2008
46	OPINION AND ORDER #96787 for the reasons, stated, defendants' motion to compel arbitration of the claims of plaintiff Theresa Reardon, and to dismiss those claims from this lawsuit, is granted re: 32 MOTION to Compel Arbitration of Plaintiff T heresa Reardon's Claims, filed by Willis of North America, Inc., Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., Willis of Masachusetts, Willis of New York, Inc., Willis of New Jersey. (Signed by Judge Gerard E. Lynch on 11/20/08) (cd) Modified on 11/25/2008 (mro).	Nov. 21, 2008	Nov. 21, 2008 RECAP
47	Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge	March 31, 2009	March 31, 2009
48	Scheduling Order	March 31, 2009	March 31, 2009
49	Notice of Change of Address	June 4, 2009	June 4, 2009
50	Order	Aug. 31, 2009	Aug. 31, 2009
51	Notice of Case Assignment/Reassignment	Oct. 1, 2009	Oct. 1, 2009
52	Order	Oct. 6, 2009	Oct. 6, 2009
53	Endorsed Letter	Oct. 19, 2009	Oct. 19, 2009
	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Richard M. Berman: Status Conference held on 11/2/2009. Settlement Conference set for 12/17/2009 at 12:00 PM before Judge Richard M. Berman. (mro) (Entered: 11/03/2009)	Nov. 2, 2009	Nov. 2, 2009
	Status Conference	Nov. 2, 2009	Nov. 2, 2009
54	Case Management Plan	Nov. 2, 2009	Nov. 2, 2009
55	Endorsed Letter	Nov. 6, 2009	Nov. 6, 2009
56	Order	Nov. 24, 2009	Nov. 24, 2009
57	Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge	Dec. 24, 2009	Dec. 24, 2009
58	Protective Order	Dec. 28, 2009	Dec. 28, 2009
59	Endorsed Letter	Feb. 4, 2010	Feb. 4, 2010
60	Endorsed Letter	Feb. 16, 2010	Feb. 16, 2010
61	Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Feb. 18, 2010	Feb. 18, 2010
	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Debra C. Freeman: Discovery Hearing held on 2/22/2010. (mro) (Entered: 03/05/2010)	Feb. 22, 2010	Feb. 22, 2010
	Discovery Hearing	Feb. 22, 2010	Feb. 22, 2010
62	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Feb. 23, 2010	Feb. 23, 2010
	CASHIERS OFFICE REMARK on 61 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice in the amount of $25.00, paid on 02/18/2010, Receipt Number 894405. (jd) (Entered: 02/24/2010)	Feb. 24, 2010	Feb. 24, 2010
	Cashiers Remark	Feb. 24, 2010	Feb. 24, 2010
63	Notice of Appearance	March 1, 2010	March 1, 2010
64	Order Admitting Attorney Pro Hac Vice	March 1, 2010	March 1, 2010
	Minute Entry: for proceedings held before Judge Richard M. Berman: Status Conference held on 3/11/2010. next status conf − 9/27/10 at 9:30 a.m. motion for class certification by 6/28/10; response (includes motion for summary judgment 7/28/10; reply by 8/27/10 and surreply by 9/13/10 (djc) (Entered: 03/25/2010)	March 11, 2010	March 11, 2010
	Set Deadlines/Hearings: Motions for class certification due by 6/28/2010. Replies due by 8/27/2010. Responses due by 7/28/2010 (djc) (Entered: 03/26/2010)	March 11, 2010	March 11, 2010
	Status Conference	March 11, 2010	March 11, 2010
	Set Deadlines/Hearings	March 11, 2010	March 11, 2010
	*NOTE TO ATTORNEY TO RE−FILE DOCUMENT − DEFICIENT DOCKET ENTRY ERROR. Note to Attorney Jeremy Miller Brown to RE−FILE Document 65 MOTION to Compel Deposition of Non−Party . ERROR(S): Supporting Documents are filed separately. Declaration in Support of Motion to be filed individually, using Event Type found under Replies, Opposition and Supporting Documents. REMINDER** − First Re−File Motion, then file and link any supporting documents. (db) (Entered: 03/15/2010)	March 12, 2010	March 12, 2010
	***NOTE TO ATTORNEY TO RE−FILE DOCUMENT − DEFICIENT DOCKET ENTRY ERROR. Note to Attorney Jeremy Miller Brown to RE−FILE Document 66 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion. ERROR(S): Supporting Documents must be linked to Corrected Motion. (db) (Entered: 03/15/2010)	March 12, 2010	March 12, 2010
	Notice to Attorney to Re-File Document - Deficient Docket Entry Error	March 12, 2010	March 12, 2010
65	Motion to Compel 2 Affidavit of Jeremy M. Brown, Esq. View on PACER 3 Exhibit A through E to Brown Declaration View on PACER 4 Exhibit Exhibit F and G to Brown Declaration View on PACER 5 Affidavit of Service View on PACER	March 12, 2010	March 12, 2010
66	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	March 12, 2010	March 12, 2010
67	Motion to Compel	March 15, 2010	March 15, 2010
68	Declaration in Support of Motion 2 Exhibit A through E View on PACER 3 Exhibit F through G View on PACER	March 15, 2010	March 15, 2010
69	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion	March 15, 2010	March 15, 2010
70	Affidavit of Service Other	March 15, 2010	March 15, 2010
	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Debra C. Freeman: Telephone Conference held on 3/29/2010 re:discovery disputes. (mro) (Entered: 04/02/2010)	March 29, 2010	March 29, 2010
	Telephone Conference	March 29, 2010	March 29, 2010
71	Endorsed Letter	April 2, 2010	April 2, 2010
72	Endorsed Letter	April 13, 2010	April 13, 2010
73	Endorsed Letter	April 16, 2010	April 16, 2010
74	Letter	April 16, 2010	April 16, 2010
	Transmission of Notice of Appeal to the District Judge re: 75 Notice of Appeal. (nd) (Entered: 05/14/2010)	May 14, 2010	May 14, 2010