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A junior banking analyst sued her former firm over its unpredictable, grueling work hours.
A settlement in the case was reached just before the case was set to go to trial.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Centerview Partners and former junior banker Kathryn Shiber have reached a settlement, ending a closely watched lawsuit about Wall Street work culture that was set to go to trial in Manhattan federal court.
The case centered on allegations that the boutique investment bank violated disability discrimination laws when it fired Shiber in 2020 after she said she needed eight to nine hours of sleep each night because of an underlying mood and anxiety disorder.
Court filings and depositions in the case offered a rare look into the grueling demands placed on first-year analysts, including testimony that they typically work between 60 and 120 hours a week and that “in some projects, you are working 24 hours a day.”
Centerview has denied wrongdoing.
“Centerview has said all along that Ms. Shiber’s legal claims have no merit,” a Centerview spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. “We were ready to prove that in court, and are confident we would have prevailed at trial. But we are nonetheless happy to put this distraction behind us and focus on delivering for our clients.”
The resolution means a jury will not weigh in on questions about Wall Street’s long hours and workplace accommodations.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Lawyers for Shiber did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
At the center of the US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife was an elite and secretive special operations group, per multiple reports.
Citing officials, outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that Delta Force, alongside law enforcement personnel, carried out the extraction of Maduro as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, a surprise nighttime raid of the Venezuelan leader’s compound in Caracas.
Business Insider wasn’t able to independently confirm the participation of the elite unit in the operation. The Pentagon directed BI’s queries to the White House.
In discussions of the complex operation, President Donald Trump said only that it was executed by “the most highly trained soldiers in the world,” adding that “there’s nobody that has their talent.”
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela
Juan BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images
The president may have been speaking about all of the personnel involved. US officials said that the operation to grab Maduro included land, air, sea, space, cyber, and intelligence forces. But Trump’s language could easily apply to Delta Force, a top-tier special operations unit.
Here is what we know about this elite force.
An essential but highly secretive group
Delta Force, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D), is tasked with capturing and eliminating high-value targets. Like other tier-one special mission units, such as SEAL Team 6, Delta Force tackles some of the US Army’s most covert and complex tasks.
The special operations unit, founded by Col. Charlie Beckwith in the 1970s for direct combat action, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism, is headquartered at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, also home to other Army special operations forces.
Operators train for rapid infiltration and exfiltration, intense close-quarters combat, precision marksmanship, demolition, hostage rescue, and more. Unlike some other units, Delta pulls the best warfighters it can from across the US armed forces, though it mainly draws from Army special operations forces. Known as “quiet professionals,” Delta Force operators generally do not speak openly about their activities.
Much of the elite force’s work is highly classified, but some Delta missions are public knowledge.
Delta Force was involved in the US operation, Just Cause, that ultimately led to the capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega during the 1989 invasion of Panama. And the group distinguished itself during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by the book and film “Black Hawk Down.” Two snipers were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions.
This century, this unit was among the US special operations forces that surged into Afghanistan immediately after the 9/11 attacks, played a role in the 2003 capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and was involved in the death of the infamous Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.
Aircraft, explosions, and smoke were seen across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during the US operation.
Reuters
And now reporting indicates Delta Force, along with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, was instrumental in capturing Maduro.
The assault on Venezuela and raid on Maduro’s compound
The US president and other US officials shared details of the raid that captured Maduro on Saturday.
Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the apprehension team broke into a fortified compound to capture Maduro after months of planning. US intelligence agencies watched and studied his patterns of life, while other teams trained for the operation on a replica of Maduro’s home. The US used a similar tactic to ready for the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Reports indicate Delta Force was inserted into the target area by the 160th SOAR, the Night Stalkers famous for their ability to get special operators in and out of tough spots.
With fighters, bombers, electronic warfare planes, and more delivering strikes and providing air cover, Caine said the helicopters carrying the extraction team were able to reach their target with “totally the element of surprise.”
During the complex apprehension operation, American operators moved fast through the building to find Maduro and his wife, seizing them before they could get the door closed on a steel safe room.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrives in New York.
Reuters
Trump said that Venezuela’s military was overwhelmed by US forces. Several American personnel were injured, the president said, and one of the helicopters was hit but remained flyable. No troops or equipment were lost in the operation.
The Trump administration is holding Maduro responsible for supporting narco-terrorism (drug trafficking) and other criminal activity. The recent operation is also about oil, with the administration accusing Venezuela of using oil revenue to fund malign activities. Maduro has denied the allegations.
Trump said on Saturday that the US would run Venezuela until a “safe, proper” election could occur. He also said that US oil companies would be entering the country, which has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.
To secure these operations, he said that he’s not ruling out putting US troops on the ground. He said the US military is ready to conduct more attacks if needed.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Maduro and his wife were charged in New York with drug and weapons offenses. He is due to appear in court.
Even after working on cruise ships for years, I love this form of travel. And although I’ve sailed with many cruise lines over the years, Princess stands out for its beautiful ships and interesting itineraries.
Just like airlines, most major cruise lines offer loyalty programs, and on every sailing, guests earn credit toward their status.
Although chasing status is never my goal, I gained the highest level — known as Elite — on Princess Cruises’ Captain’s Circle program, after spending 150 days at sea over three years.
Here are five Elite status perks that have completely elevated my sailing experience.
Priority access to water shuttles means more time spent at our destinations
I love not having to wait for a water shuttle.
Tammy Barr
Some ports have small or shallow harbors that require cruise ships to anchor offshore and use smaller boats (known as tenders or water shuttles) to take guests ashore.
It’s often a confusing and irking part of the cruising experience because it takes time to load and maneuver these small boats to the pier, which can result in guests waiting hours to go ashore.
Luckily, as an Elite member, I now receive priority access to these water shuttles. My last cruise had three ports where a water shuttle was required to go ashore, and this benefit alone saved me from waiting and worrying about how long it would take to leave the ship.
In the past, I’ve woken up very early and waited in long lines for water shuttle tickets. I’ve also had my independent port plans ruined because of slow tender operations.
With Elite status, though, I’m able to take my entire family on the first tender of the day without having to set an early alarm.
I also have access to complimentary laundry services
As an Elite member, I can have my clothes washed and folded for free.
Tammy Barr
On Princess ships, passengers can pay to access self-service laundromats, as well as full-service laundry and dry cleaning. As an Elite passenger, however, I can send out my dirty laundry and have it washed and folded for free.
This means I no longer have to spend time doing laundry on vacation. Instead, I put my clothes in a bag, and they return clean and folded within a day or two.
I like to use the service for things like socks and underwear, and it’s nice to know I can pack less for long cruises.
Internet access is offered at half price
Although I try my best to disconnect when I’m on vacation, I typically purchase a WiFi package to check in with family members and friends back home.
WiFi is included in some bundled packages, but can also be purchased separately. Luckily, as an Elite member, I receive 50% off all WiFi packages.
There are opportunities for free and discounted food and drinks
I love enjoying free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Tammy Barr
One of my favorite parts about being an Elite member is that I get access to discounted food and drinks. For example, certain suites on Princess cruises come with a one-time mini bar, but as an Elite member, this is a perk I get to enjoy on every sailing.
My room comes stocked with 10 alcoholic and 10 non-alcoholic drinks, which include a mix of liquor, beer, soda, and sparkling water. With the price of alcoholic drink packages now up to about $100 per day for each guest, I think this perk provides a good value.
On one formal night each cruise, Elite loyalty members are also invited to the Captain’s Circle party, which includes live music, complimentary drinks, and hors d’oeuvres.
Plus, on formal night, I have the opportunity to order and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres while getting ready. I’ve enjoyed small plate options like seared tuna, salmon, and beef — all paired with the mini-bar drinks to create a fun happy hour vibe in my cabin.
I save a lot of money by taking advantage of the various hosted food and drink events on board. In fact, I don’t even purchase a drink package anymore.
