A serious lawsuit has emerged against DLA Piper, one of the largest law firms globally, as a former associate, referred to as Jane Doe, has filed a harrowing legal complaint. The suit alleges that Brian Biggs, a former partner at the firm, committed rape and subsequent acts of violence, including breaking into her home and strangling her.

According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe began her tenure at DLA Piper in 2021 where she quickly found herself under the undue influence of Biggs. The complaint details how Biggs coerced Doe into excessive drinking and manipulated her into a sexual and romantic relationship under the guise of mentorship. Doe claims that Biggs leveraged his seniority to prioritize their personal relationship over her professional responsibilities.

The isolation tactics described in the lawsuit depict a grim scenario where Doe was estranged from her colleagues and made to believe that Biggs was her only supporter within the firm. This manipulation reportedly culminated in December 2022 when the alleged rape occurred in the firm’s Wilmington office, followed by an incident where Biggs broke into Doe’s residence and attempted to strangle her.

The trauma from these events led to severe PTSD for Doe, ultimately forcing her resignation from the firm. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that Biggs's behavior was part of a known pattern of exploiting female subordinates, a fact allegedly recognized by other partners at DLA Piper.

The claims against the firm include creating a hostile work environment based on sex, quid pro quo sexual harassment, and retaliation related to Biggs’s conduct. Additionally, there is a separate count of assault and battery against Biggs himself.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson from DLA Piper stated that the firm had been made aware of a relationship between Biggs and an associate in January 2025, which led to an immediate investigation. According to the firm, no allegations of rape were reported at that time. Following the review, Biggs withdrew from the firm, and Doe continued her employment until her resignation in December.

In light of the lawsuit, DLA Piper has enlisted Camille Olson, a lawyer known for her crisis management expertise, to handle the response to these serious allegations.

The legal community and public alike are closely watching as this case unfolds, bringing to light issues of power dynamics and misconduct within one of the legal industry’s most prominent players.