NEW YORK, NY July 30 (DPI) – The Wall Street Journal named names in a lengthy report on Big Law’s problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, and more specifically the ease with which business-cultivating partners can jump from firm to firm despite unseemly – and often illegal – treatment of female peers and subordinates.

The report about sex-harassment in the legal profession provides just the latest reminder that the professional workplace still has a long way to go in reigning in inappropriate behavior.

The Journal named three so-called rainmaker partners of Top 100 law firms who switched firms after sexual harassment allegations came to light – in one case the hiring firm was unaware that the new hire had such an alleged history. All three of the prominent lawyers named in the article either denied the charges or declined to comment through their lawyers.

The article led with a memorable anecdote:

The flowers arrived at Mayer Brown days after a prized new hire started at the law firm’s New York office. “Thanks for taking him,” the note on the bouquet read. It was signed: “The women.”

Mayer Brown partners had begun getting calls earlier that February day about James Tanenbaum, a veteran capital-markets attorney, a person familiar with the matter said. They learned he left his previous firm, Morrison & Foerster, in December after sexual-harassment allegations. Mr. Tanenbaum, 70, resigned from Mayer Brown the next week, shortly after the firm began an investigation, the person said.

Readers comments numbered less than 50 in the first few hours of the posting of the report this morning. The most popular reader comment reacted positively to the gossipy lead anecdote.

I must say, the note with “Thanks for taking him” was really clever. Certainly a five star backhanded compliment.

The second most popular comment reminded readers that “he said she said” reports are not always credible, or even newsworthy:

As a male, I say, “Oh, stop it already”.
There are two sexes, and each is (fortunately for our procreation) interested in the other.
But I am tired of reports of the alleged activities of powerful but dirty old men.
We have many women who advance themselves materially by spending time on their backs. They just have not yet seized the reins of power in their majority.
He said, she said is not newsworthy. Period.