| A Chicago attorney is facing disciplinary proceedings for soliciting sex from job applicants to his firm. Samir Zia Chowhan of Chowhan Law is accused of demanding “sexual interaction with me and my partner” from a woman seeking a position as legal assistant at his firm.
In May 2009 Chowhan posted a vacancy for “Loop lawyers hiring secretary/legal assistant” on Craigs list’s “Adult Gigs” in which he asked applicants to submit a “few pictures along with a description of your physical features, including measurements.”
When Debbie Dickinson, submitted her application, Chowhan responded in an email: “As this is posted in the “adult gigs” section, in addition to the legal work, you would be required to have sexual interaction with me and my partner, sometimes together sometimes separate. This part of the job would require sexy dressing and flirtatious interaction with me and my partner, as well as sexual interaction. You will have to be comfortable doing this with us. If you think you’re comfortable so far, please let me know and we can proceed with the process… Lastly, we’ve actually hired a couple of girls in the past for this position. But they have not been able to handle the sexual aspect of the job later. We have to be sure you’re comfortable with that aspect, because I don’t want you to do anything that you’re not comfortable with. So since that time, we’ve decided that as part of the interview process you’ll be required to perform for us sexually (i didn’t do this before with the other girls i hired, now i think i have to because they couldn’t handle it). Because that aspect is an integral part of the job, I think it’s necessary to see if you can do that, because it’ll predict future behavior of you being able to handle it when you have the job.“ Dickinson forwarded the email to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which charged Chowan with misconduct. |
May It Please Your Honor
