Jones Day sign. Photo: John Disney/ALM

A federal judge has summarily rejected a request by two former Jones Day associates to make the law firm respond to their sex discrimination suit within three weeks.

Julia Sheketoff and Mark Savignac, a married couple and former U.S. Supreme Court clerks who worked in the firm’s issues and appeals practice, have accused the firm of discriminating against new fathers with its parental leave policy, of underpaying Sheketoff for being a woman, and of firing Savignac when he complained.

In a statement linked to on social media, Jones Day has denied the allegations, saying Sheketoff was paid well despite performing “below expectations” and that Savignac “showed poor judgment, a lack of courtesy to his colleagues, personal immaturity and a disinterest in pursuing his career at Jones Day.”

In court, the firm’s partners who have appeared in the case, Mary Ellen Powers and Traci Lovitt, said their busy schedules would prevent them from responding to the court by Sept. 4, asking the judge for a 30-day extension.

In response, the plaintiffs argued that Jones Day’s statement showed that it had already evaluated their case and the firm didn’t need any more time to respond. They said the firm’s statement “smeared their reputations.” While Jones Day was entitled to try “this case on social media,” they argued, the firm “should not be permitted to do so while at the same time putting off plaintiffs’ vindication in court.”

But in a minute order on Wednesday morning, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss of the District of Columbia granted Jones Day’s request for an extension. Jones Day’s response to the suit is now due Oct. 4.

Sheketoff declined to comment, while a spokesman for the firm didn’t immediately respond to a comment request.

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