Albany, NY – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D- Bronx) announced that his bill relating to attorney’s fees in employment, and credit & lending sex discrimination cases (A.7189) passed in the Assembly. “This bill is a key component of the Women’s Equality Act,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz, who is the lone male Sponsor of any Women’s Equality Act measures in the Assembly. “I’m thrilled this bill passed unanimously in the Assembly today with broad bipartisan support, it is an important step forward in the fight for women’s equality.”

Under existing law, attorney's fees for employment and credit and lending sex discrimination cases are not available even after the plaintiff proves discrimination at trial. As a result, many who are discriminated against cannot afford to hire an attorney and never seek proper compensation, and those who are able to hire an attorney on a contingency fee arrangement are not made whole for their losses because they must pay for their attorneys out of their recovery; and those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, but who try to do so on a contingency basis, are unsuccessful because the case is either too small or too risky.

“This bill would allow for reasonable attorney's fees in housing, employment, and credit discrimination cases when sex is a basis of discrimination,” said Mr. Dinowitz. “It’s just not right that those who need it most are put in a position where they are either discouraged from seeking legal help, or end up in even greater financial trouble because they did.”

The bill, which was also sponsored by State Senator Betty Little (R-Glenn Falls), has already passed in the Senate and Governor Cuomo, a champion of the Women’s Equality Act during his campaign for re-election in 2014, is expected to sign it.