The Class Agents

Paulette Taylor
(410) 965-4920
Paulette L. Taylor is the President of the Black Females for Justice II, Inc. at the Social Security Administration (SSA). She is a Management Analyst serving as a GS-12 Buildings and Space Manager in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management, Office of Facilities Management (OFM), Office of Buildings Management at the Agency’s headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland.
Her federal career began in 1972 at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Washington, D.C. where she was employed as a clerk typist. She later took a career enhancing position at the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C. She enlisted in the United States Army in 1975 serving her country as a specialist in the administrative field until her honorable discharge in 1980. As a retired disabled veteran, Mrs. Taylor began her career at SSA in 1980 as a clerk typist in the Office of Operations Analysis and Support. She continued her career in the Office of Systems on the Training Support Staff prior to taking a position in OFM.
Mrs. Taylor graduated from Catonsville Community College with a degree in Liberal Arts in May 2004. In 2007, she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Maryland University College in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resource Management and is planning to pursuing a Master’s of Science Degree in Negotiations and Conflict Management at the University of Baltimore.

“In order to make a change we must take a stand. We must arm ourselves with truth, knowledge, and understanding. It is our legal right to be treated equal in all aspects of employment. We, the Black Females of SSA, are united in our commitment and we will see justice done together.”

 

Debra Harley
(410) 965-4891
Debra Harley is the co-founder of the Black Females for Justice II, Inc. at the Social Security Administration. Ms. Harley is currently a GS-2210-12 Information Technical Specialist / Systems Analyst in the Office of Systems (OS), Office of Systems Electronic Services (OSES). She has been employed at SSA since 1967.

“My message to our class members is as follows: Ladies, no matter how our case is decided, I am honored to have been a part of this experience with you. In my mind, we have already won, because we have united to openly say “no” to the discriminatory practices SSA imposes upon us. I have frequently been told that we are leaving a “legacy” behind. Yes, we are but, more importantly, we are blessed women, and I hope that you will always carry the feeling that you matter in this world and deserve all that is right and good in it. Be encouraged.”

 

The Class Lawyers

The Class is represented by two law firms, Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb, PLLC, and Rose Legal Advocates, both located in Washington, D.C. (Each has moved since the trial.) The two firms are working together on the case. You may contact Class Counsel by telephone, letter, personal visit, or email.

Class Counsel’s E-mail addresses:

ssaclassaction@wigginschilds.com
daver@roselawyers.com
yrubinstein@roselawyers.com

Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb PLLC

Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb PLLC has established a tradition of excellence in discrimination and employment law since 1985. From its formation, the firm has risen to prominence in pursuing “ground breaking” legal issues in individual and class action suits leading the way in shaping new laws protecting and benefiting people who have been victims. With its original office in Birmingham, Alabama, and now at its Washington, D.C. office, the firm has been nationally recognized for expertise in representing employees in individual lawsuits and in class action litigation.

There have been some personnel changes in the firm’s Washington office, and now Taylor, et al. v. Astrue, Comm., Social Security Administration case is being handled by both the Washington, D.C. office and Birmingham, AL office:

Timothy B. Fleming, Esq.
Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb PLLC
1850 M Street, NW, Suite 720
Washington, DC 20036
(205) 314-0500
(205) 314-1500 (fax)

Robert F. Childs, Esq.
Russell W. Adams, Esq.
Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb, LLC
The Kress Building
301 19th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 314-0500
(205) 314-1500 (fax)

Rose Legal Advocates

Rose Legal Advocates is a small Washington, D.C. firm that provides top quality legal representation. Although a small firm, it is committed to achieving big results. Rose Legal Advocates has won important cases and treats its clients as it would want to be treated if it were the client. Rose Legal Advocates has fought large corporations and government agencies since 1987, and it has won or settled most cases and has a policy of continuing to represent Plaintiffs until there is a satisfactory conclusion or settlement no matter how long it takes.

The Taylor, et al. v. Astrue, Comm., Social Security Administration case was originally brought, and is still being litigated by:

David L. Rose, Esq.
Yuval Rubinstein, Esq.
Rose Legal Advocates
1900 L St NW
Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
daver@roselawyers.com
yrubinstein@roselawyers.com
(202) 331-8555