'THE FIRST DENTAL WIVES CLUB'
Some of you may doubt the existence of this not-so-exclusive club, however if you talk to some of
your colleagues you’ll undoubtedly discover many are quite certain it exists. I picked up the First
Wives Club book in the airport to read on the long flight back from the ADA. While laughing and
entertaining myself, I became convinced that I personally knew many of the characters described in
the book. I am sure they are pseudonyms for some dentists I know! Of course, I then had to see the
movie.
Now, I must admit, this is an area in which I have no actual experience. While I am a ‘first wife’ (so
therefore I understand the general feeling), I have never been a first dental wife. But, it is my
perception the scenarios in the book and movie were really quite accurate.
First, the wives begin the long arduous task of getting hubby through school. These wives put up
with long hours and uncooperative moods for the future rewards. They dutifully brought hot food into
lab when I was in school and ran to Del Taco a couple times a night for the rest of us.
Dental school finally over, real life for the wives was supposed to begin. A joyous equal married
partnership. Well, the money did get better, lifestyle improved, and the wives finally got a decent car
to drive and house to live in. Then - hubby began to hire young, beautiful staff members and the
trouble began.
I chose a law firm case to discuss this month rather than a dental case due to the sensitive nature of
the subject. So, pretend here, the profession has been changed to protect the innocent (i.e., me.).
The law firm of Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennet hired a paralegal/law clerk named Elisabeth Saret-
Cook. (Elizabeth Saret-Cook v. Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennet ET al/BC 116590 and related
cross complaints). A married partner in this firm began an affair with Ms. Cook. As the affair
progressed, Ms. Cook became pregnant. This seemed to pose a distinct liability to the partner and
to the firm and they wanted to get rid of her. Ms. Cook didn’t take this laying down, despite a
negotiated separation agreement. Ms. Cook claimed in court that she was wrongfully terminated
due to sexual harassment, the affair was not consensual, she was discriminated against and
retaliated against, etc. To put it mildly, she loudly complained about the way she was treated and
made the partner’s life quite miserable and undoubtedly made the other partners quite upset. The
culmination of this affair landed in the legal newspapers for all to see.
Now, I can’t say for sure this married partner’s wife became a ‘first wife’ due to this widely
publicized sexual harassment case. But I do know ‘everybody’ in the first wife’s world found out
about her
husband’s affair after it made the papers, if not before. I hope for the wife’s sake that she did
become a first wife, or he ate a lot of crow.
Many of you have asked me why I keep harping on sexual harassment cases. Well, to be certain I
don’t let you forget and inadvertently lose all you have worked thus far for, please remember:
1) Sexual harassment allegations are present in almost every employment law claim. Even if the
allegation has no basis in reality, its emotional impact threatens the very life and soul of the dentist
and thus is a powerful settlement tool for the employee.
2) Sexual harassment claims, if allowed to proceed, are very successful - both financially and
emotionally - in front of a jury. Such claims are currently the most lucrative area in employment law
claims.
3) California has the most liberal sexual harassment laws in the nation. Sometimes inadvertent
behavior is relatively easy to fit somewhere into one of the many definitions of harassment provided
for in our state’s law.
4) Sexual harassment charges against a dentist in a group (as in the case I cited) financially
threaten all of the group members because of joint and several liability for these claims. This means
that even the non-responsible group member could end up solely financially liable if his partner has
inadequate resources to support the judgment.
So, my point is, think twice before you create a first wife. Remember they aren’t the only ones who
‘don’t just get angry, they get even.’
© Bette Robin, DDS, JD 12/96
your colleagues you’ll undoubtedly discover many are quite certain it exists. I picked up the First
Wives Club book in the airport to read on the long flight back from the ADA. While laughing and
entertaining myself, I became convinced that I personally knew many of the characters described in
the book. I am sure they are pseudonyms for some dentists I know! Of course, I then had to see the
movie.
Now, I must admit, this is an area in which I have no actual experience. While I am a ‘first wife’ (so
therefore I understand the general feeling), I have never been a first dental wife. But, it is my
perception the scenarios in the book and movie were really quite accurate.
First, the wives begin the long arduous task of getting hubby through school. These wives put up
with long hours and uncooperative moods for the future rewards. They dutifully brought hot food into
lab when I was in school and ran to Del Taco a couple times a night for the rest of us.
Dental school finally over, real life for the wives was supposed to begin. A joyous equal married
partnership. Well, the money did get better, lifestyle improved, and the wives finally got a decent car
to drive and house to live in. Then - hubby began to hire young, beautiful staff members and the
trouble began.
I chose a law firm case to discuss this month rather than a dental case due to the sensitive nature of
the subject. So, pretend here, the profession has been changed to protect the innocent (i.e., me.).
The law firm of Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennet hired a paralegal/law clerk named Elisabeth Saret-
Cook. (Elizabeth Saret-Cook v. Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennet ET al/BC 116590 and related
cross complaints). A married partner in this firm began an affair with Ms. Cook. As the affair
progressed, Ms. Cook became pregnant. This seemed to pose a distinct liability to the partner and
to the firm and they wanted to get rid of her. Ms. Cook didn’t take this laying down, despite a
negotiated separation agreement. Ms. Cook claimed in court that she was wrongfully terminated
due to sexual harassment, the affair was not consensual, she was discriminated against and
retaliated against, etc. To put it mildly, she loudly complained about the way she was treated and
made the partner’s life quite miserable and undoubtedly made the other partners quite upset. The
culmination of this affair landed in the legal newspapers for all to see.
Now, I can’t say for sure this married partner’s wife became a ‘first wife’ due to this widely
publicized sexual harassment case. But I do know ‘everybody’ in the first wife’s world found out
about her
husband’s affair after it made the papers, if not before. I hope for the wife’s sake that she did
become a first wife, or he ate a lot of crow.
Many of you have asked me why I keep harping on sexual harassment cases. Well, to be certain I
don’t let you forget and inadvertently lose all you have worked thus far for, please remember:
1) Sexual harassment allegations are present in almost every employment law claim. Even if the
allegation has no basis in reality, its emotional impact threatens the very life and soul of the dentist
and thus is a powerful settlement tool for the employee.
2) Sexual harassment claims, if allowed to proceed, are very successful - both financially and
emotionally - in front of a jury. Such claims are currently the most lucrative area in employment law
claims.
3) California has the most liberal sexual harassment laws in the nation. Sometimes inadvertent
behavior is relatively easy to fit somewhere into one of the many definitions of harassment provided
for in our state’s law.
4) Sexual harassment charges against a dentist in a group (as in the case I cited) financially
threaten all of the group members because of joint and several liability for these claims. This means
that even the non-responsible group member could end up solely financially liable if his partner has
inadequate resources to support the judgment.
So, my point is, think twice before you create a first wife. Remember they aren’t the only ones who
‘don’t just get angry, they get even.’
© Bette Robin, DDS, JD 12/96
| Bette Robin 1-877-DrRobin Dentist, Attorney, Real Estate Broker 1-877-377-6246 |
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DrRobin@BetteRobin.com
17482 Irvine Blvd., Ste. E
Tustin, CA 92780
Tustin, CA 92780
Call:
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