As previously reported, the Warshawsky Law Firm represents Chef Anita Eisenhauer, a Professor at the Culinary Institute of America , who for many years has been paid less than a similarly-situated male colleague despite having six years greater seniority, teaching a wider variety of culinary classes, having the exact same college degrees, and progressing through each academic rank earlier.

After six years of fighting in the federal and state courts to achieve pay equity for Chef Eisenhauer, we are extremely happy to report that on June 27, 2025, the Dutchess County Supreme Court (Hon. Christi J. Acker) GRANTED our motion for summary judgment holding CIA liable for underpaying Chef Eisenhauer since 2017.  The court issued a magisterial 52-page decision analyzing the New York State Equal Pay Law, N.Y. Lab. Law § 194(1), which was extensively amended in 2015 to expand protections for women (and further amended in 2019 to expand protections for all employees).

Judge Acker’s decision is the first court case to analyze and apply the new state law, which finally puts teeth into the promise of equal pay for equal work.  At the Warshawsky Law Firm we are extremely proud to have played a part in this watershed decision that not only benefits our client but paves the way for other New Yorkers to achieve pay equity.

The case is Anita Eisenhauer v. Culinary Institute of America, Index No. 2024-53041 (Dutchess County Supreme) (Hon. Christi J. Acker).  Steven M. Warshawsky is lead counsel for the plaintiff.