Stropnicky v. Nathanson

Attorney Nathanson (defendant) limited her divorce practice to representing only women. Joseph Stropnicky (plaintiff) called her office seeking help with his own divorce and was told of this policy; when he insisted on speaking with Nathanson directly, she described how a wife's circumstances in divorce typically differ from a husband's and declined to represent him without further inquiry into his specific case. Stropnicky filed a complaint with the Commission; Nathanson testified her women-only policy reflected her personal values, boosted her credibility and clients' comfort, and helped address gender bias in family law, while also testifying she would represent men in matters not involving a conflict between a man and a woman.