Women's Rights Archives - Tamara Holder Law

TRENTON, N.J., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Office of Linda Kenney Baden, David Krenkel of Krenkel and Krenkel, and Tamara Holder Law are pleased to announce, on behalf of three-time National Chess Champion JENNIFER SHAHADE, that her federal lawsuit against US Chess has been resolved. We are proud of Jennifer for her fortitude and courage. Her selfless commitment to helping others has been both acknowledged and rewarded through this process.

Please find the joint statement from WGM Shahade and US Chess below, outlining a shared commitment to a better future for the chess community:

US Chess and WGM Jennifer Shahade are pleased to announce that they have resolved all matters between them amicably and wish each other well going forward.

US Chess extends its sincere gratitude to three-time national chess champion WGM Jennifer Shahade for her courage in coming forward with reports of abuse. Her willingness to do so reflects the values at the heart of our organization and has helped reinforce our commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and welcoming chess community for everyone.

US Chess is proud of its world-leading Safe Play program, which continues to set the standard for athlete protection in competitive chess. We remain deeply committed to its ongoing development and to ensuring that every player, at every level, can participate with confidence and dignity.

US Chess is equally proud to celebrate Ms. Shahade's extraordinary contributions to the chess world as a champion, author, educator, and ambassador for the game. We are thrilled to announce that WGM Jennifer Shahade has been named the first-ever Official Ambassador of US Chess.

We look forward to welcoming Ms. Shahade on the road with us, where she will be speaking, educating, and presenting at upcoming US Chess events nationwide.

For media inquiries, please email: press@tamaraholder.com.

SOURCE Tamara Holder Law

According to a recent article by the Tri-City Herald, the Washington Medical Commission has issued an interim order prohibiting Tri-Cities OB-GYN Dr. Mark Mulholland from treating any female patients amid mounting allegations from more than 100 women who say he sexually abused them under the guise of legitimate medical care. Under the agreement, Mulholland may not provide care to women in any capacity until the licensing charges are resolved.

While Mulholland did not admit or deny the allegations, the Commission’s charges describe a disturbing pattern of behavior between 2022 and 2024, layered on top of more than two decades of patient complaints. Allegations include inappropriate comments about women’s bodies, sexually suggestive remarks, aggressive and unnecessary pelvic exams, and other abusive conduct. According to the Commission, complaints were repeatedly “rationalized, normalized, and minimized,” leading to years of women’s concerns being dismissed by Providence St. Joseph and Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

The licensing order comes as civil and criminal actions continue to mount. At least 18 lawsuits have been filed in King County Superior Court, with patients alleging sexual assault, misconduct during exams, and even forced sterilization. Two criminal complaints have also been filed with the Richland Police Department.

Patients represented in these lawsuits describe a consistent pattern of abuse under the guise of legitimate medical care. Allegations range from inappropriate sexual comments during exams to physical assault, and even cases of forced sterilization. Despite repeated complaints to Kadlec Regional Medical Center and its parent company, Providence, patients say their concerns were ignored or dismissed.

Patients describe a consistent pattern: abuse disguised as medical care, coupled with institutional negligence that allowed Mulholland to continue practicing. These lawsuits aim to hold both Mulholland — and the institutions that enabled him — accountable for decades of harm. And as the cases progress, more women continue to come forward with their stories.

If You Have Information:

If you or someone you know has been mistreated by Dr. Mulholland, we encourage you to reach out to SGB and tell your story. Time to come forward may be limited.

Jane Doe 105 accuses Dr. Mark Mulholland of removing her fallopian tubes without her knowledge; Providence and Kadlec ignored her complaints

SEATTLE - Jane Doe 105 is the latest to file a new lawsuit amid mounting allegations against Dr. Mark Mulholland, a Tri-Cities OB-GYN who practiced for over 20 years at Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Ms. Doe is represented Tamara Holder Law in Chicago.

Jane Doe 105 met Mulholland after being admitted to Kadlec Hospital in 2016 due to severe concerns around her pregnancy, including hypertension and pre-eclampsia, which compromised both her and her unborn child’s health and safety.

Ms. Doe recalls a nurse suggesting tubal ligation as her medical team prepared to deliver her baby via caesarean section. She was reassured that a tubal ligation, more commonly known as “getting your tubes tied” was an entirely reversible procedure, as Ms. Doe had expressly stated she was interested in growing her family further following this pregnancy.

During the procedure, Ms. Doe recalls hearing a nurse over the privacy curtain ask Mulholland why he was performing the tubal ligation in that manner – Mulholland responded, “Insurance pays more this way.”

Following the procedure, Ms. Doe experienced severe complications, including irregular periods, hot flashes, and extreme fatigue, all symptoms consistent with menopause and not expected after a standard caesarean section or tubal ligation.

Nearly ten years later in 2024, Ms. Doe was ready to continue growing her family. After meeting with a fertility specialist, Ms. Doe and her husband’s worlds were turned upside down. The specialist informed them that she would not be able to reverse her tubal ligation, as Mulholland had entirely removed her fallopian tubes. Ms. Doe was left sterilized against her will by Mulholland.

Ms. Doe complained to the hospital, but her complaints were ignored.

Holder added, “This case reveals how a healthcare institution gave a male doctor unfettered power over and access over hundreds of female patients’ bodies over dozens of years. Due to Mulholland’s alleged abuse, our client now lives with the irreversible consequences. We will not rest until we have held every person and institution accountable for turning a blind eye to Mulholland’s conduct.”

Jane Doe 105’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating the Washington Law Against Discrimination, corporate negligence by the hospitals, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is limited.

To learn more tamaraholderlaw.com/.

Another Case Alleges Providence and Kadlec Ignored Patient Complaints of Abuse

SEATTLE – Following two similar sexual abuse lawsuits, Jane Doe 102, represented by Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law in Chicago, has filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court. The complaint contributes to the growing number of female patients coming forward with allegations of physical abuse or sexual abuse by Mark E. Mulholland, a Tri-Cities OBGYN who worked for Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, in Richland, Washington, from 1999 through June 2025.

Jane Doe 102 alleges that during an appointment in 2022, Mulholland explicitly asked her about her sex life and noted in her chart that she was a lesbian “and has never been in relationships with men.” During the appointment, a pre-operative meeting before Jane Doe 102’s hysterectomy, Mulholland performed a pelvic “exam” without informed consent and without explaining its purpose. Shoving his fingers inside her, he said, “You’re really tight in there.”

According to Jane Doe’s lawsuit, she worried that if she immediately complained, she risked affecting her upcoming medical care which included a hysterectomy. After surgery, however, she reached out to multiple people within the hospital’s hierarchy, including its CEO, and yet she received no response.

“Providence and Kadlec claim to be ‘the leading health care organization in the region’ while enjoying not-for-profit tax-exempt status. And despite allegedly being “committed to its mission of providing safe, compassionate care,” we have heard from hundreds of women who say this institution has chosen profits over female patient safety. ” Holder added

Jane Doe 102’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of gender-abusive conduct, failure to protect patients, and institutional negligence.

If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland, OBGYN, or the institutions where he worked, please reach out to tamaraholderlaw.com/ or SGB as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is not unlimited.

To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: tamaraholderlaw.com

Growing Number of Female Patients Allege Providence and Kadlec Ignored Complaints of Doctor Sexual Abuse

SEATTLE – A new lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court by Jane Doe 101, represented by attorney Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law and Washington co-counsel adds to the mounting allegations of sexual abuse and gender-based discrimination against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Mark Mulholland.

Jane Doe 101 alleges that in 2022, after surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, Mulholland subjected her to a painful and unnecessary pelvic “exam” at Kadlec Clinic, in Richland, where he shoved his entire hand inside her vagina without informed consent or an explanation. When she cried out in pain, Mulholland laughed, withdrew his hand, then said, “I will only use two fingers,” before continuing the invasive “exam.”

The complaint further alleges that Mulholland ignored Jane Doe’s medical needs, made dismissive comments about her medical concerns, and exploited his position of trust as her first gynecologist. Jane Doe 101 revealed that she did not recognize the conduct as sexual abuse until recently, when she learned that Mulholland was under investigation for assaulting other patients.

Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit signals a pattern of misconduct stretching back more than two decades. Since as early as 2003, Providence and Kadlec began receiving complaints about Mulholland engaging in suspicious behavior including unnecessary, and gloveless pelvic “exams;” as well as fat-shaming and abusive language yet the institutions allowed him to continue seeing patients until June of this year.

“As a Kamiakin graduate myself, these cases hit close to home,” added Holder. “Our clients were failed twice: first by their doctor, then by the very institutions that promised safe, respectful care. We are devoted to obtaining justice for our clients, and to exposing how Providence and Kadlec profited off Mulholland’s alleged abuse rather than protecting the community.”

Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex-based discrimination, failure to protect patients, and institutional negligence.

If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out to tamaraholderlaw.com/ Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is not unlimited.

To learn more about the firm's work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit tamaraholderlaw.com/

Sep 5, 2025

Case claims Providence and Kadlec concealed decades of patient complaints

SEATTLE – Lawsuits continue to mount against Tri-Cities OBGYN, Mark E. Mulholland. Another, filed by Jane Doe 103, adds to the more than 100 other women who have come forward with abuse allegations. Represented by Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law and Washington co-counsel, Jane Doe 103’s lawsuit in King County Superior Court alleges physical and sexual abuse by Dr. Mulholland, who worked for Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, from 1999 through June 2025.

Jane Doe 103 alleges that during her first appointment with Mulholland in 2022, he abused her by inserting his fingers into her vagina and rectum to perform an “exam.” He told her that she would need further treatment and directed her to return for another appointment. At the subsequent appointment, Mulholland performed the same “exam,” and complimented her figure and weight.

According to Jane Doe’s lawsuit, she continued to see Mulholland for an operation, and later, about a possible yeast infection. During her 2024 appointment regarding a yeast infection, Mulholland performed an “exam,” swabbing the inside of her vagina. He proceeded to sniff the swab and say, “It smells great,” and “You have a nice-looking vagina.”

Had she been notified by Kadlec Providence of the numerous complaints from female patients about Mulholland’s conduct, Jane Doe 103 would not have agreed to see him to begin with.

Dr. Mulholland treated his female patients in the most unthinkable ways. Additionally, despite Kadlec claiming to have ‘safe, compassionate care,’ it did not respond to the dozens of complaints about Mulholland that piled up over decades. We will not rest until we hold everyone accountable for this atrocious conduct on all levels,” Holder added.

Jane Doe 103’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex discrimination and abuse, failure to protect patients and institutional negligence.

To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: tamaraholderlaw.com/

Divided Sky Foundation Launches New Women’s Scholarship Fund  to Break Barriers & Expand Access to Recovery

Ludlow, VT – September 10, 2025 — The Divided Sky Foundation today announced the launch of a Women’s Scholarship Fund, designed to address the unique barriers women face when seeking treatment for addiction. The Fund will provide financial support so that women — regardless of income — can access a dignified and empowering path to recovery. The Foundation has set a goal of raising $500,000 for the Fund by the end of this year and invites supporters to learn more or contribute at HERE.

Founded by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and his former drug court officer Melanie Gulde, the Divided Sky Foundation provides an alternative, affordable option for addiction recovery. Its Residential Recovery Program has proven effective, with hundreds of guests completing the program and over 95% saying they would recommend it to a friend or loved one. The Women’s Scholarship will now help more women access these services, regardless of financial circumstance.

“We established the Women’s Scholarship Fund to help all women heal, regardless of their ability to pay for recovery — and it is clear our Fund is already working,” said women’s rights advocate and attorney Tamara Holder, who covered the cost of the first female guest at Divided Sky in 2023 and later made a major gift to establish the Fund. “Women are the fastest-growing demographic affected by addiction. The statistics are stark: more than 75% of women struggling with addiction have experienced sexual abuse, over 70% are mothers, and women face a higher risk of fatal overdose.”

Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) further underscores the need to make recovery services more accessible to women:
● Women account for just one-third of admissions to residential or inpatient recovery facilities.
● Only one in ten women with substance use disorder receive treatment.
● Women are more likely than men to encounter traumatic life experiences, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault, which may increase their vulnerability to developing a substance use disorder.

“Women recover differently and face unique barriers that often leave them overwhelmed and discouraged,” said Gulde. “Stigma, cost, and childcare responsibilities can all stand in the way of seeking help. The Women’s Scholarship Fund is our response: more than financial aid, it’s a statement that every woman is worthy of a sober life — and we are here to support them.”

Gulde and Anastasio jointly developed the idea for Divided Sky after recognizing the lack of affordable recovery options in the Northeast. The initiative was first announced in 2020 during Anastasio’s Beacon Jams livestream series. Now, as the five-year anniversary approaches — along with a series of benefit concerts at New York’s Beacon Theatre — Divided Sky is taking the next step to address critical gaps in the recovery system.

“I’m so grateful that Melanie and Tamara are leading this next stage of Divided Sky with a dedicated women’s scholarship program,” said Anastasio. “With a women-led team that deeply understands the trauma that so often precedes addiction, and scholarships that remove the financial barriers to care, this program can give more women the chance to heal and start fresh.”

Those wishing to support the Divided Sky Foundation may make donations at HERE and direct their gift to the Women’s Scholarship Fund directly. Several Phish fan groups are also planning grassroots fundraisers tied to this announcement, which coincides with National Recovery Month. More initiatives will be unveiled ahead of the Beacon Jams anniversary concerts this fall.

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ABOUT THE DIVIDED SKY FOUNDATION (DSF):
The Divided Sky Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addiction recovery. Founded through the friendship of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and his former drug-court case manager, Melanie Gulde,, the 46-bed Divided Sky residential facility opened in Ludlow, VT. in 2023.. Its non-medical program emphasizes mindfulness, emotional sobriety, and gaining tools to live a joyful life in recovery. Divided Sky is often the next step following a medical detox or relapse, or can be a primary option for anyone who is medically stable and ready to make a change. Divided Sky continues to make its 12-step immersive Residential Recovery Program affordable to all, with partial scholarships available to those who demonstrate need. For more information on the Divided Sky Foundation, the Women’s Scholarship Fund, or how to apply or contribute, visit DividedSky.org. Those seeking help for themselves or a loved one can call 877-TRY-DSKY to speak with Divided Sky’s admissions coordinator.

Jane Doe is represented by Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law and The Quinlan Firm

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BBC: Sport agent Jonathan Barnett accused of rape in US lawsuit - STORY HERE

NY TIMES/THE ATHLETIC: Soccer agent Jonathan Barnett accused of rape, torture and trafficking in U.S. lawsuit - STORY HERE

BARNETT'S STATEMENT: “The claims made in (the) complaint against me have no basis in reality and are untrue. We will vigorously defend this lawsuit through the appropriate legal process. I am looking forward to being entirely vindicated and exonerated.”
CAA'S STATEMENT: “While the complaint attempts to connect these allegations to CAA’s business, Ms. Doe has never been an employee, consultant, or contractor of CAA, ICM, or Stellar, nor has she ever had any business connection to CAA, ICM, or Stellar. Mr. Barnett exited Stellar in February 2024.”

If you have information that may help our case, please call: 312-440-8000 or email contact@tamaraholder.com