Bickerton v. Rose

In 2012, Outten & Golden secured $250,000 for interns who worked on PBS’ Charlie Rose Show, part of a string of cases challenging the use of unpaid interns in the media and entertainment industry.

Our client, Lucy Bickerton alleged that she regularly worked at least 25 hours per week without pay while on the Charlie Rose staff in 2007. The New York Times reported that Bickerton’s job duties “included providing background research for Mr. Rose about interview guests, putting together press packets, escorting guests through the studio and cleaning up the green room.”

The case was one of three federal cases filed by Outten & Golden, seeking compensation for unpaid media interns. Another, Glatt v. Fox Searchlight Pictures Inc., was filed on behalf of interns who worked in Fox Searchlight’s corporate offices and on its productions. A third, Wang v. The Hearst Corporation, was filed on behalf of a class of interns who worked for Hearst magazines.

Charlie Rose agreed to settle this lawsuit in 2012. The settlement included a $250,000 payment for approximately 190 unpaid interns who worked on Mr. Rose’s show between March 14, 2006 and October 1, 2012.