Jury Verdicts & Settlements

Latest jury verdicts, settlements, and legal outcome analysis

Pregnancy Lawsuit Verdict: Firm Wins Discrimination Case

A federal jury in the Southern District of New York found that global law firm DLA Piper LLP was not liable for pregnancy discrimination or Family and Medical Leave Act violations. The Plaintiff, a seventh-year associate in the firm's Intellectual Property and Technology practice group, alleged that the firm suddenly terminated her employment in October 2022 because she requested maternity leave while six months pregnant. DLA Piper maintained that the termination resulted entirely from serious, repeated professional errors that threatened client relationships, rather than her pregnancy. After evaluating the evidence, the jury rejected the Plaintiff's claims under the New York City Human Rights Law and the FMLA, returning a complete defense verdict that awarded no damages to the Plaintiff.

Employment Discrimination

Federal Judge Dismisses HR Advisor Disability Lawsuit

A federal Court dismissed a high-profile employment lawsuit filed by a former human resources advisor against energy giants Apache Corporation and APA Corporation. The employee alleged disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation after disclosing her diagnosis of uterine fibroids and anemia. However, the legal proceedings concluded abruptly when United States District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt granted Apache Corporation’s Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, ruling entirely in favor of the defense.

Employment Discrimination

Physician Wins No Damages in Dignity Health Bias Lawsuit

Dr. Deborah Higer, a veteran physician in Mount Shasta, filed a sweeping lawsuit against Dignity Health and fellow doctors David Holst and Ronald Lagro, alleging a two-decade campaign of discrimination. Dr. Higer, who is a lesbian, claimed the hospital environment became increasingly hostile after she reported a colleague’s alleged misconduct and advocated for patient safety. She argued that the hospital retaliated by stripping her of clinical privileges and removing her from pediatric call schedules, causing severe financial and emotional damage. However, upon reviewing the evidence, a San Francisco jury determined that while Dr. Higer did provide services under contract, she had not been subjected to harassing conduct based on her gender or sexual orientation. Consequently, the Court found no liability against the Defendants on the harassment claims.

Employment Discrimination

Miami-Dade Wins Discrimination Trial in $1M Claim

Lashandra Parker-Nashid, a longtime Miami-Dade County Transit employee, sued the county in federal Court, alleging discrimination and retaliation under Title VII. She claimed the county fired her after forty-nine years of service because of her race, gender, and Muslim faith, and that the termination followed harassment and retaliation for prior complaints. Miami-Dade denied all allegations and argued she had not exhausted administrative remedies and that legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons drove the termination. After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the jury issued a verdict on November 14, 2025, finding that her religion was not a motivating factor in her discharge. The verdict ended deliberations and resulted in no monetary recovery for Ms. Parker-Nashid.

Employment Discrimination

Disability Suit Settles for $230,000 Over Wrongful Discharge

The Tramil v. City and County of San Francisco lawsuit began in 2019 after former employee Mary Tramil alleged the City violated the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The complaint asserted that the City had failed to engage in a mandatory interactive process and refused to provide reasonable accommodations for her physical disability, ultimately leading to her wrongful discharge. Tramil sought lost wages, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress. The CCSF denied all liability, citing various immunities and arguing that its actions were reasonable and non-discriminatory. After years of litigation, the parties reached a negotiated settlement, concluding the case for $230,000.

Employment Discrimination

Jury Awards Ex-Employee $675K for Workplace Gender Harassment

The San Bernardino County Superior Court jury delivered a major verdict in favor of former employee Amelia Russell in her suit against Spray Enclosure Technologies, Inc., and co-defendant Melanie Helzer. Filed in 2019, Ms. Russell's lawsuit centered on claims of serious employment violations, including Hostile Work Environment Harassment based on gender, Gender Discrimination, Retaliation, and Wrongful Termination. The defendants had denied all claims, asserting they acted lawfully. Following the trial, which unfolded over several weeks, the jury returned a Special Verdict in November 2024. The jury found that the company had engaged in unlawful conduct and awarded Ms. Russell $575,935 in compensatory damages for her economic losses and emotional distress. Crucially, the jury also found that the defendants' conduct involved malice, oppression, or fraud, and subsequently awarded an additional $100,000 in punitive damages, bringing the final total judgment to $675,935.

Employment Discrimination

LA County Fire Dept. Disability Discrimination Case Settled

Plaintiff Anderson Mackey brought a lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a public entity employer. The original complaint, filed in February 2023, alleged claims primarily related to employment disputes, including an inferred claim of disability discrimination and other related statutory violations against the public entity. The Defendants filed their Answer in May 2023. The matter was ultimately resolved through negotiation, evidenced by the filing of a Notice of Settlement of Entire Case in November 2024, followed by a Court Order acknowledging the notice in January 2025. The case concluded with a full settlement.

Employment Discrimination

LA County Settles Disability Discrimination Case $175K

The lawsuit, Valerie Busch v. County of Los Angeles (Case No. 21STCV27869), began in July 2021 when former County employee Valerie Busch asserted that the County had violated the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The Plaintiff, who had a physical disability, claimed the County failed to engage in the legally mandated good-faith interactive process and refused to provide reasonable accommodations, leading to her eventual termination. Ms. Busch sought substantial damages for lost wages and significant emotional distress. The County denied liability, arguing its HR processes were compliant and that the Plaintiff’s requests for accommodation were unreasonable. Just prior to trial, after intense mediation, the parties reached a final, binding settlement. The County of Los Angeles agreed to pay Valerie Busch $175,000 to resolve all claims, formally closing the litigation.

Employment Discrimination

Jury Rejects Anne Olear Age Bias Claim Against School Board

Anne L. Olear, a veteran teacher with 46 years in Waterbury schools, claimed the district misled her into retiring and then discriminated against her by refusing to rehire her after posting her position. She argued her age was the real reason she lost the job, while the district insisted it followed standard hiring procedures. After a trial in November 2024, a jury found no evidence that age played a role in the decision. The verdict went to the Waterbury Board of Education, leaving Olear without damages in her discrimination and misrepresentation lawsuit.