Philadelphia Art Museum commits to arbitration amid Sasha Suda’s request for a trial.
The Philadelphia Art Museum has reaffirmed its stance in a legal dispute with former director and CEO Sasha Suda, advocating for the resolution of the matter through arbitration. Suda was dismissed from her position on November 4, three years into a five-year contract, following an investigation by a law firm commissioned by the museum. In response to her termination, Suda filed a lawsuit against the museum on November 10, seeking a jury trial regarding her dismissal.
In a swift reaction, museum trustees responded to Suda’s lawsuit, alleging that her termination was the result of findings from the aforementioned investigation, which purportedly identified her as having misappropriated museum funds and subsequently concealing her actions. The museum’s stance asserts that the outcome of this investigation warranted her dismissal and claims Suda’s suit lacks justification.
According to the terms of Suda’s contract, any disputes between her and the museum are required to be addressed through private and confidential arbitration. However, Suda counters this assertion by claiming that her agreement contains a specific exception to the arbitration clause, providing grounds for her preference for a jury trial.
In a court filing dated December 19, the museum contended that Suda’s interpretation of the employment contract lacked credibility and emphasized a straightforward reading of the arbitration clause. The museum, established nearly 150 years ago, is represented by legal teams from Cozen O’Connor in Philadelphia and Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick in Washington, D.C.
The legal representatives for the museum argue that arbitration clauses should be construed literally but not to the degree of absurdity, urging the court to enforce the arbitration requirement and pause formal proceedings until the arbitration is completed.
In the wake of Suda’s dismissal, the museum appointed Daniel H. Weiss, former president of Haverford College and a leader at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as its new director and CEO on November 21, signaling a leadership transition amidst ongoing challenges. The outcome of this legal dispute carries significant implications for both Suda’s future and the operational dynamics within the Philadelphia Art Museum.
As the situation develops, stakeholders are closely watching how the museum navigates this legal landscape and what impact it will have on its reputation and staff morale going forward.
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