HOUSTON – During her brief stint at McKenney McClelland, Tamika Craft-Demming claims she quickly learned the firm was a “cesspool for gross malpractice” and was forced to endure a miserable work environment, so much so that one of the firm’s partners allegedly showed up to work stinking of booze.
Alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract and slander, Craft-Demming filed suit against Hugh McKenney and Craig McClelland, along with their firm, on Dec. 1 in Harris County District Court.
According to her lawsuit, Craft-Demming is a 17-year licensed attorney. She was hired by the firm last November to exclusively assist with handling judicial appeals of property owners in Texas counties.
By as early as December 2019, the working environment at the firm “began to deteriorate miserably.”
“Hugh began to come into Plaintiff’s office with glossy red eyes, smelling like alcohol and demanding Plaintiff complete tasks for which she was not hired to complete,” the suit states. “Plaintiff refused and Hugh became frustrated with Plaintiff.”
Craft-Demming’s suit goes on to describe a hostile work environment stemming for her refusal to use outdated software.
She claims during her employment she discovered the firm “was a cesspool for gross negligence,” as thousands cases were being dismissed for failure to appear and client documents were routinely lost among “stacks of papers.”
“Plaintiff attempted to address the … issues with Defendants, to no avail,” the suit states. “Plaintiff was directed in emails to do as she was told and commit malpractice like defendants. Plaintiff began to suffer … headaches and anxiety working under the strenuous conditions.”
On Feb. 6, Craft-Demming arrived to work and immediately began to feel dizzy and nauseous. She left to go to the emergency room. Later that day, she sent an email to the firm stating she was taking seven days off.
The following day, she was fired.
Craft-Demming claims the firm also slandered her by stating she fraudulently negotiated a check that was sent to her home.
She is suing for actual and exemplary damages, plus damages for her lost wages, mental anguish and loss of consortium.
Case No. 2020-76880