Jane Lang
Encyclopedia
Jane Lang is an arts philanthropist and arts education promoter in Washington, DC. She has been characterized as a neighborhood activist, the primary force responsible for revitalizing a run-down area of Washington, D.C.
She also co-founded the law firm Sprenger + Lang. In her legal career, Jane Lang has specialized in employment litigation and housing law. In several ground-breaking cases, Jane Lang has settled class-action law suits against employers for sexual harassment
, race discrimination, and other similar broad-reaching cases.
At Sprenger + Lang she has represented plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases, including race discrimination class actions that were settled against the Pillsbury Co. and Northwest Airlines, with consent decrees in 1990 and 1991. She was lead counsel with Paul Sprenger
in In re Pepco Employment Litigation and numerous other cases litigated during the first half of the 1990s. She was instrumental in negotiating settlements in several of Sprenger + Lang's cases, including cases against Maytag and Control Data Corp.
, becoming its first female partner in 1977. From 1979 to 1981, she served as General Counsel for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. After that, she returned to her former law firm Steptoe & Johnson until 1986.
After leaving Steptoe & Johnson, she founded her own firm, developing a plaintiffs' practice. In 1989, she and Paul Sprenger joined their firms, becoming Sprenger + Lang. Though now she is "Of Counsel" to the firm, she remains involved with Sprenger + Lang's class action lawsuit for age discrimination in the TV Writers' Case.
, in Washington, D.C. The locally revered but ruined Atlas Theatre in a run-down neighborhood in northeast Washington was renovated and now functions as a multiple-use performing arts center. The non-profit arts center has become the namesake institution the area, leading the revitalization of the so-called "Atlas District" in Washington.
Jane Lang is a trustee of The Sprenger Lang Foundation, a private family charitable organization based in Washington, D.C. The foundation's primary purpose is to support the arts and arts education. Grants and contributions are made primarily to producing theaters, musical groups, dance troupes, educational institutions, health care facilities and other cultural institutions. The Sprenger Lang Foundation solicits new scripts as part of an annual Nathan Miller History Play Contest. The producing division of the foundation is Tribute Productions, presenting plays and musicals.
magazine's 2007 list of Washingtonians of the year.
She also co-founded the law firm Sprenger + Lang. In her legal career, Jane Lang has specialized in employment litigation and housing law. In several ground-breaking cases, Jane Lang has settled class-action law suits against employers for sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
, race discrimination, and other similar broad-reaching cases.
At Sprenger + Lang she has represented plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases, including race discrimination class actions that were settled against the Pillsbury Co. and Northwest Airlines, with consent decrees in 1990 and 1991. She was lead counsel with Paul Sprenger
Paul Sprenger
Paul C. Sprenger is an American attorney. One of the founding partners of Sprenger + Lang, PLLC, he is now of counsel to that firm.Sprenger remains lead counsel on a television writers' age discrimination lawsuit which began in 2000. The case involved claims of widespread age discrimination in the...
in In re Pepco Employment Litigation and numerous other cases litigated during the first half of the 1990s. She was instrumental in negotiating settlements in several of Sprenger + Lang's cases, including cases against Maytag and Control Data Corp.
Education
- Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore CollegeSwarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
, 1967. (Phi Beta Kappa) - University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Law School, J.D., 1970. (Member of the Law Review)
Legal career
From 1970 until 1979, she practiced law with the Washington D.C. law firm of Steptoe & JohnsonSteptoe & Johnson
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm recognized for representation of clients before governmental agencies, advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, and advice in guiding business transactions...
, becoming its first female partner in 1977. From 1979 to 1981, she served as General Counsel for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. After that, she returned to her former law firm Steptoe & Johnson until 1986.
After leaving Steptoe & Johnson, she founded her own firm, developing a plaintiffs' practice. In 1989, she and Paul Sprenger joined their firms, becoming Sprenger + Lang. Though now she is "Of Counsel" to the firm, she remains involved with Sprenger + Lang's class action lawsuit for age discrimination in the TV Writers' Case.
Philanthropy
Jane Lang is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Atlas Performing Arts CenterAtlas Performing Arts Center
The Atlas Performing Arts Center is a multiple space performing arts facility located on H Street Northeast in Washington, DC. Housed is a renovated Art Deco movie house the facility is home to several arts organizations....
, in Washington, D.C. The locally revered but ruined Atlas Theatre in a run-down neighborhood in northeast Washington was renovated and now functions as a multiple-use performing arts center. The non-profit arts center has become the namesake institution the area, leading the revitalization of the so-called "Atlas District" in Washington.
Jane Lang is a trustee of The Sprenger Lang Foundation, a private family charitable organization based in Washington, D.C. The foundation's primary purpose is to support the arts and arts education. Grants and contributions are made primarily to producing theaters, musical groups, dance troupes, educational institutions, health care facilities and other cultural institutions. The Sprenger Lang Foundation solicits new scripts as part of an annual Nathan Miller History Play Contest. The producing division of the foundation is Tribute Productions, presenting plays and musicals.
Honors
Paul Sprenger and Jane Lang were included in WashingtonianWashingtonian (magazine)
Washingtonian is a monthly magazine distributed in the Washington, DC area since 1965. The magazine describes itself as "the magazine Washington lives by." The magazine's core focuses are local feature journalism, guide book-style articles, and real estate advice.-Editorial Content:Washingtonian...
magazine's 2007 list of Washingtonians of the year.