Howard Stern's Ex-Assistant Appeals Lawsuit Dismissal

Howard Stern's former assistant, Leslie Kuhn, has filed an appeal seeking to overturn a judge's decision that dismissed her lawsuit against the shock jock, his wife Beth Stern, and their companies.

Kuhn's appeal, filed on September 9, aims to obtain declarations that a 2022 confidentiality agreement and a 2025 non-disclosure agreement (NDA) are invalid and unenforceable. Her stated purpose is to discuss her employment freely, which she believes is necessary to salvage her job prospects and reputation.

In July, a judge rejected Kuhn's claims that Stern's production company, One Twelve, had forged NDAs in her name during her tenure as his executive assistant until February 2026. The court had presented an email from Kuhn's account containing her electronic signature and the text "Signed NDA attached," but Kuhn argued her email had been hacked. The judge characterized her forging claim as a "bald assertion."

The initial lawsuit was filed in April, with Kuhn asking the court to declare the NDA and confidentiality agreement unenforceable. She alleged a toxic work environment during her employment with the couple.

Kuhn began working at the Sterns' Southampton mansion in May 2024, assisting Beth Stern with household staff and operations, as well as managing Beth's feline rescue and fostering activities. Court documents indicate Kuhn was informed in December 2025 that she would receive a raise to $265,000 and an $80,000 bonus for the following year. However, she was terminated in February.

Kuhn claimed her dismissal was due to a "hostile work environment" and the pressures created by on-site animal rescue operations and disorganized business practices. She stated she had "credible evidence" to dispute the Sterns' account.