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Davida S. Perry has been a civil litigator since 1986 and holds the distinction of an "AV" rating with Preeminence from Martindale-Hubbell. Ms. Perry was selected and honored as a Super Lawyer in 2009. In 1994, Ms. Perry and her father, Murray Schwartz, created the partnership of Schwartz Perry & Heller. Since the firm's inception, Ms. Perry has devoted her efforts almost exclusively toward representing victims of unlawful employment discrimination, including age, disability, gender, race, sexual orientation and pregnancy discrimination as well as sexual harassment.
Ms. Perry worked alongside her father in the landmark sexual harassment case of Thoreson v. Penthouse Magazine and Robert Guccione. In Thoreson, the finding of sexual harassment was sustained on appeal by both the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals, which set a significant precedent that a claim of sexual harassment can be established based on the victim's testimony alone. Ms. Perry assisted in the briefing and argument of both appeals.
In 1991, the City of New York enacted its own Human Rights Law authorizing a private cause of judicial action for victims of employment discrimination. The New York City law was challenged in Bracker v. Cohen, a sexual harassment case in which Schwartz Perry & Heller represented the plaintiff. Ms. Perry was significantly involved in responding to the challenge to the law, which was ultimately found to be constitutional. As a result, a multitude of cases have been instituted under that law.
Notably, Ms. Perry served as Second Chair during the trial of McIntyre v. Manhattan Ford, a sexual harassment, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress suit. A Manhattan jury awarded the plaintiff $6.6 million, which, even after being reduced by the trial court and then by the appellate court, still stands as one of the highest awards for sexual harassment in the entire nation. The case, after trial, continued through the appellate process and was concluded, with the judgment paid, in 1999. Ms. Perry participated in all aspects of the appeal. The plaintiff in McIntyre, as well as Ms. Perry and her father, were celebrated at a ceremony for Courageous Plaintiffs conducted by the New York chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association.
In June 2006, following a two-week trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the jury returned a verdict in favor of a client of Schwartz Perry & Heller in the amount of $2.5 million, of which $300,000 was an award for punitive damages. The verdict was based upon a retaliation claim arising from the plaintiff's allegation of age discrimination. Since the action was brought under the New York City Law and was removed to Federal court, the amount was not subject to the Federal cap. After adding damages and interest, the amount of the final judgment paid totaled nearly $4 million. Ms. Perry had an active role throughout the case.
Ms. Perry has co-authored numerous articles and publications for programs sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Practising Law Institute.
More than 10 years ago, the firm developed a Summer legal internship program at the request of a New York law school. The initial programs were so successful that the firm initiated on-going legal internship programs throughout the academic year as well. In 2008, Schwartz Perry & Heller was joined by 24 students from nine law schools in the New York and New Jersey areas. Ms. Perry takes an active role in mentoring future lawyers through the firm’s legal internship program.
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Chat withState: New York
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
3 Park Ave., Suite 2700, New York, NY, 10016
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sara | May 10, 2018 | Hired Attorney
It’s not easy finding an attorney for aviation employees so I was hesitant to make the initial call but I’m so happy I did! Words are not enough to describe how satisfied I am with Ms. Davida, Dan and Brian! Ms. Davida fought for me with incredible passion and care! Whether I was right or wrong, she...
Posted by FD - New York City | March 14, 2015
December is always a time for Celebration & Happiness. NYC is beaming with Santa Claus, Christmas lights, everyone is happy. I was not in a joyful mood, I was extremely depressed and at the end of the rope. I was just fired from my job, I hired a lawyer who was expensive, incompetent and befriend...
Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2014
Davida Perry is an extraordinary lawyer. She walked me through a process that was extremely difficult and traumatic. She was knowledgeable and helped me to understand every step of the legal or process. She was supportive of my emotional and psychological distress and she treated me and my family wi...
Posted by anonymous | February 14, 2014
Davida handled my sexual harassment case with extreme competence and care. She is not only a wonderful attorney, but is also a caring and compassionate person. I was sexually harassed at my place of employment. Davida took on the case for me, and helped me through several difficult depositions. She ...
Posted by anonymous | February 14, 2014
I have been lucky to have Davida represent me on 2 lawsuits. I count my blessings for she is everything you hope your lawyer will be: super smart, tenacious, supportive and there for you with a big heart.
"Davida is an excellent plaintiff's side employment attorney with strong litigation skills and a versed knowledge of the substantive law, especially as concerns the litigation of employment matters within the five boroughs of New York City. I proudly recommend her hands down."
"Davida is a skilled and resourceful litigator who works diligently to obtain the best possible outcome for her clients."
"Davida Perry is bar none the best plaintiff's employment discrimination trial attorney around. She fights hard for her clients, is fearless in the courtroom, and has a real talent for winning big cases. I endorse her completely and wholeheartedly."
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2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Women Attorneys in the New York Metro Area, New York Magazine
2014
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
New York's Top 50 Women Attorneys in the New York Metro Area, New York Magazine
2013
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Top 50 Women Attorneys in the New York Metro Area, New York Super Lawyers
2013
New York Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2012
Top 50 Women Attorneys in New York Metro Area, New York Super Lawyers
2012
New York's Women Leaders in the Law, New York Magazine
2012
New York Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2012
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Top Northeast Lawyers, Arrive Magazine
2011
New York Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2011
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
New York Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2010
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale Hubbell
2009
New York Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2009
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
Courageous Plaintiffs' Award, National Employment Lawyers Association
1984
Excellence in Constitutional Law, American Jurisprudence Award
1994 - Present
Partner, Schwartz Perry & Heller
2009 - Present
National Association of Women LawyersMember
2006 - Present
National Employment Lawyers Association (New York chapter)Member
1999 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
Jury verdict in the amount of $1,330,000
Jury verdict in favor of plaintiff for pregnancy discrimination
$2.5 Million Awarded to Plaintiff
$6.6 Million Awarded By Jury
1985
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2012
Sexual Harassment & The New York City Human Rights Law
2012
2002
1999
1998
1998
1998
1997
English