Ex-Morelli Ratner Partner Sued For Sexual Assault In New York

Former Morelli Ratner PC associate Kalisha Crawford is suing the firm’s former managing partner, David Ratner, for sexual harassment that led to a decade of “lifelong trauma and career derailment,” according to a complaint filed in the New York Supreme Court.

Crawford, in her June 6 complaint, is demanding a jury trial in her lawsuit that alleges sexual assault and battery and gender discrimination in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law. The complaint cites the Adult Survivors Act, which allows plaintiffs to sue after the statute of limitations has passed.

Ratner, who is now a partner at Ratner Molineaux LLP, has represented plaintiffs in sexual harassment and employment discrimination cases, including the first sexual harassment case against Bill O’Reilly, according to the firm’s website. He allegedly assaulted Crawford at a firm-wide holiday party on Dec. 16, 2010 and continued to make advances toward her and harass her, until she was fired on Oct. 4, 2011, the complaint says.

After the initial assault on Dec. 16, Crawford had daily panic attacks at work, and she experienced back pain and stress-induced gastrointestinal issues. Ratner allegedly continued to try to get Crawford alone. Throughout January and February 2011, Ratner attempted to assign Crawford to cases where he had out-of-state depositions and could force her to travel with him. After one such trip in March, Ratner suggested the two should have an affair, to which Crawford said she didn’t think it would be a good career move. After the trip, Ratner began his “campaign of retaliation” against Crawford.

“Ratner caused her to suffer with his harassment, abuse, and the untouchable reputation he cultivated, even in the face of a known pattern of such behavior. Today, Crawford seeks justice with her revived claims under the Adult Survivors Act. It is not too late to hold Ratner accountable for the discriminatory abuses he perpetrated on his female employees,” the complaint says.

Ratner didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Crumiller PC, CA Goldberg PLLC, and Survivors Law Project represent Crawford.

The case is Crawford v. Ratner, N.Y. Sup. Ct., docket number unavailable, 6/6/23.