Business & Professional CHAMPION from page 35 nancy and maternity leaves. In the high-profile, sex-bias lawsuit against Morgan Stanley, the company made the $54 million settlement rather than risk letting a jury decide if it dis- criminated against its female employees by paying them less than men and pass- ing them over for promotions. It was the second largest gender-related settlement ever, and largest with a Wall Street firm. Despite the settlement, Morgan Stanley denies all charges. A Jewish woman, Allison K Schieffelin, 42, of New York, a success- ful bond saleswoman, was the lead plaintiff in the case, getting $12 million of the settlement. Among other things, she testified she arranged a group dinner with an important client at an exclusive New York restaurant, only to be escorted into a cab afterward while her male co- workers took the client to a strip club. "This case sent a message to employ- ers everywhere that allegations of dis- crimination need to be taken seriously," Grossman said after the settlement. rent work at the EEOC, she has been . offered partnerships in New York law firms, but she's content to stay where she is," says her father, who owns Pronto Promotions and Advertising Specialties in Southfield arid belongs to the Birm- ingham Temple in Farmington Hills. Elizabeth and her companion of 12 years, Brad Sewell, also a lawyer, have children Benjamin and Elana and live in Brooklyn. "Our family never was too religious when I was young, but now we celebrate all of the Jewish holidays and traditions with our children," she says. Because of Grossman's zeal and pas- sion for her job, and her leadership in the EEOC office, companies have made extensive changes in their employment practices and established diversity pro- grams. As the result of one decision, firms no longer can cap health care ben- efits for workers with AIDS. Because of another, workers at the Bell Atlantic Co. can't be denied credit for retirement benefits after taking off time for preg- COMPUTER WOES??? CALL AL FOR RELIABLE SERVICE IN YOUR HOME Repairs - Upgrades - Wireless Networking Her work involving Wall Street firms Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney also resulted in sex-bias settlements with the EEOC. "It's a persistent problem on Wall Street," she said. "Women are underrepresented in Wall Street's highest paid, most prestigious jobs." Bob Lippman, a Jericho, N.Y., lawyer who separately represents plaintiffs in many of Grossman's cases, says, "She's always proud to achieve vindication for employees in her cases against the big companies." "She has a real passion for her job," says Lippman. "She's not just a 9-5 per- son like many other people in her type of work. She works long hours, week- ends, or whenever necessary to get the job done — above and beyond the call of duty, and always doing the right thing." Grossman also helped win cases, with large settlements, for employees against the former Trans World Airlines, the for- mer F.W. Woolworth Co., and Del Laboratories, Heisei Minerals, Gruntal & Co., Lew Lieberbaum & Ca, the Lutheran Medical Center, and National Health Services, all New York firms. She also filed a series of backlash law- suits, the most recent against New York's Playa Hotel and Newsweek, Inc., involv- ing alleged discrimination and harass- ment of Muslim employees after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York. "The commission has a strong commitment to fighting discrimination against people who were treated differ- ently after Sept. 11," she says. Her EEOC office used to be in Building 7, a smaller building next to the World Trade Center towers. She saw the shadow of the first plane before it hit the first tower, heard the explosion and saw the fireball. "I didn't wait for any reaction or announcements as to what we should do," she says. "I just told everyone to evacuate as fast as possible." Building 7 collapsed shortly afterward, along with the two main towers, where Morgan Stanley had offices and sadly lost many personnel. ❑ PASS THE BAR EXAM Training for seniors and first-time users 1-on-1 tutoring to hundreds of delighted students since 1992 AL'S COMPUTER SERVICE Rich Klarman vvvvvv.testguru.com 734.996.2861 Slow Performance!! - Pop-ups out of Control!! 248 891 0441 - - callforhelp@comeast.net 924180 925820 COMPUTER CONFUSION? • Computer Repairs — Upgrades — Replacements • Infections Treated Antivirus — CounterSpy • Cable/DSL Internet Connection Sharing • EBAY, Yahoo, Stocks and AOL • Computer Purchase Consulting • Training and Installation • Wireless and Wired Networking Help iPod and iTunes Support The Computer Person, LLC • 248-655-9010 support@thecomputerperson.net 927= ls t Call Computer Solutions On-Site Repairs • Upgrades • Training GREAT RATES - - --- - - .4/61 - 248-515-5702 CertifiedI References 926830 Mercedes-Benz CCM Your Tri-State Source Since 1956 VIN DEVERS MERCEDES-BENZ • AUDI for Exceptional Personal Service & the Area's Best Selection of Fine Automobiles. MICHIGAN VIN 5570 MONROE • SYLVANIA, OH Phone 419/824-2514 Free Pick-Up, Delivery & Loaner www.vindevers.com TAX DOCTOR CHARLIE SPECIALIZING IN BRILLIANT TAX DEDUCTIONS Tax preparation service in your home or our office 25% OFF last year's fees for new clients 35 Years 401K, TSA/403B Rollovers perience of Ex House Calls for Shut ins and Great Refunds We also offer low cost health Insurance, IRA's, new Blue Cross plans, Annuities, Financial Planning, and Medical Insurance for Cobra or in between jobs. THE TAX DOCTOR MAKES HOUSE CALLS CALL TODAY 1-877-842-3178 EXP L O RE Y OUR R OUTES WORE DECIDING ON CHINA— ARE ITINERARIES COMP AND PRICES Shang-Chai Exploring the Jewish-Chinese Connection May 9 - 24, 2005 • • • • • • Beijing Harbin Xi'an Kaifeng Shanghai Suzhou FOR THE BEST JEWISH TOUR TO CHINA, CONTACT brian@eastwesttravel.ca • 416-961-8234 932352 To advertise in this section, please contact us at 248.354.5100 &TN 2/17 2005 37