TLR's readers should be familiar with the racist/sexist law firm of Kerr & Wagstaffe. Our previously published stories exposed in no uncertain terms disturbing attitudes, transgressions, and trends emanating from the firm in general, and from Mr. James Wagstaffe in particular.
The readers surely can recall some of Wagstaffe's waggery. For example, the advice he offered students to "do what I do, put a CHP (California Highway Patrol) magazine in your car, so they think you are one of them" for the purpose of avoiding a traffic ticket. Or the attempt to mislead the public by the claim that he "Has Written One of the Best Selling Books in the United States on Federal Practice." The practice guide was actually written by three authors.
Professor James Wagstaffe's encouraging his students to trick law enforcement personnel. He stated: "Do what I do, put a CHP magazine in your car, so they think you are one of them." (Photo: Courtesy SFSU)
TLR also exposed the hiring proclivities of Kerr & Wagstaffe; a proclivity which appeared to favor young white females as associates and males as partners. Unfortunately, to date, none of the young women who were hired as associates ever made it to partnership in the firm. This, despite having a stellar resume and qualifications. Three notable examples are the associates who are no longer with the firm who still practice law in the Bay Area:
Ms. Holly Hogan, prior to obtaining a J.D. from the Harvard School of Law, graduated magna cum laude from USF. Holly never made partner at Kerr & Wagstaffe despite her exceptional qualifications. Her picture, nevertheless, was posted very shortly after she commenced her employment with the firm. She is currently an associate with the firm of K & L Gates (Photo: Courtesy Kerr & Wagstaffe)
Ms. Tricia Weaver, graduated magna cum laude from Claremont McKenna, she attended Georgetown University Law Center where she graduated cum laude. Tricia never made partner at Kerr & Wagstaffe and is no longer with the firm. Her picture, nevertheless, was posted very shortly after she commenced her employment with the firm.(Photo: Courtesy of SuperLawyers)
Ms. Connie Merriett, earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law where Wagstaffe is employed as an adjunct-professor. Connie never made partner at Kerr & Wagstaffe, and is currently employed elsewhere. Her picture, nevertheless, was posted very shortly after she commenced her employment with the firm. (Photo: Courtesy)
TLR also pointed to the fact that Kerr & Wagstaffe treat male associates differentially. Associate Michael von Loewenfeldt, for example, was made partner after only two(2) years.
Other male associates who made it to partnership in the firm include Messrs.Sawyer, Ng, and Labar.
Before TLR's involvement, the firm's web-site was organized in such a way that pictures of men were placed on the top of the page, and the pictures of the females were placed on the bottom of the page. Succumbing to pressure, the firm quickly rearranged the order of the pictures.
When we published our first story concerning Kerr & Wagstaffe, the firm racial and gender make-up was as follows:
*Out of 10 lawyers, all but one is White.
*Out of 7 Partners, all but one are Males. (This was changed around 2010, where a female, non-equity, partner was hired. Prior to that, for most of 2009, all the partners were men, and all the associates were females)
*All the associates are females. There are no male associates.
*All the females’ associates are white (Ms. Melton, Ms. Radwick, and Ms. Corcoran)
*All the female associates are young.
* Two out of the three associates are from Hastings College of the Law, where Wagstaffe teaches. Their resume is not as impressive as that of Mr. Ng.
After TLR exposed Kerr & Wagstaffe's kenspeckle proclivities, in May of this year the firm hired a new male associate, Mr. Daniel Zaheer. A highly qualified and capable attorney.
However, as of September 8, 2010, four months later, the picture of Mr. Zaheer is still not posted on the firm's web-site. Instead, visitors to the web-site encounter the following picture:
Daniel Zaheer
Some people begin to wonder if Kerr & Wagstaffe's obsession with its image is at play here.
