March 12, 2020 –The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against San Francisco-based Vanguard Properties, a luxury real estate company, for terminating its Social Media Specialist because she discussed working conditions at the company with co-workers. The NLRB complaint also alleges that Vanguard told employees that they were prohibited from talking about terms […]
Harassment
Former On-Air Reporter Sues KCBS, Alleges Station Terminated Her for Reporting Sexual Harassment
February 25, 2020 – Long-time reporter Sheryl Raines, whose on-air traffic coverage for the station spanned nearly three decades, is suing KCBS Radio, which is owned by Entercom Communications Corp. Raines alleges the San Francisco radio station terminated her in retaliation for repeatedly reporting that a male radio engineer was sexually harassing women working in […]
Mother Jones Magazine Features LVBH’s Brave #MeToo Client
During the era of #MeToo, more women are bravely stepping forward about the sexual harassment they have experienced. The Mother Jones article “She Said, He Sued: MeToo Accusers Face Defamation Suits,” focuses on LVBH client Pamela Lopez and brings needed attention to the increasing tactic of accused perpetrators launching defamation lawsuits to continue to silence […]
US Postal Service Pays $600,000 to Two Female Letter Carriers Who Were Victims of Serial Sexual Harasser
Wendy Musell, working with Legal Aid at Work, filed a sexual harassment case against the United States Postal Service on behalf of two female letter carries who were sexually harassed by a supervisor who had been harassing female employees for over a decade. According to the lawsuit, the supervisor’s sexual behavior was an open secret […]
Police Officer Receives Settlement in a Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
A female police officer who had worked for more than two decades was denied repeatedly denied promotions within the police department. Previously, the department had faced numerous complaints of gender discrimination, yet failed to take any action to remedy the issue. Partners Leslie Levy and Sharon Vinick represented the officer in a gender discrimination lawsuit […]
Silicon Valley CEO Sexual Harasser Case Resolved
Partner Sharon Vinick represented an entry level employee who was subjected to sexual harassment by the CEO of her company during a business trip. The harassment included highly suggestive comments and unwanted touching, which created a hostile work environment. The parties settled the case pre-litigation for a six-figure sum.
Sexual Harassment of Tenant by Residential Property Manager
Partners Sharon Vinick and Leslie Levy represented a tenant who was sexually harassed by the residential property manager, and then retaliated against after complaining of harassment. Sharon and Leslie brought an action against the property owners and the residential manager because they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment and engaged in […]
$1.2 Million Jury Verdict after BART Failed to Prevent Harassment and Retaliation
A BART employee who had complained about racial harassment by a co-worker and systemic race discrimination brought suit against his employer. Years after the case was originally filed, partners Darci Burrell and Jean Hyams were brought on to take the case to trial. With only a few months to prepare, Darci and Jean worked feverishly to muster the evidence and prepare the legal arguments that would help prove that BART should be held responsible for the retaliation and harassment suffered by its employee. The jury found in his favor on all counts, in a clear vindication of the mechanic’s rights.
Jury Verdict And Fees Award In Excess of $1 Million For Woman Subject to Retaliation
Partners Jean Hyams and Darci Burrell tried a case on behalf of a woman who suffered retaliation after she complained repeatedly about sexual and racial harassment on the graveyard shift at Caltrans’ Oakland Transportation Management Center. Members of the jury wept when they rendered a unanimous verdict finding Caltrans liable for maintaining a sexually and racially hostile work environment and subjecting the plaintiff to retaliation. By obtaining a jury verdict and attorneys’ fee award in excess of $1 million, the trial team vindicated the rights of the Caltrans employee and delivered a clear message to employers about the cost of maintaining a work environment in which sexually and racially inappropriate conduct is permitted to thrive.
$3.6 Million Settlement for City Employee Subjected to Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
Partners Darci Burrell and Leslie Levy represented a 27-year employee of the City of Emeryville after she was terminated from her job following a psychiatrist’s report that she was “unfit for duty.” The employee, who was chief union steward at the time of her termination, had challenged racial discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment by City management throughout her career. Darci and Leslie charted new legal territory in this case by bringing a claim against the psychiatrist, Dr. Stephen Raffle, for “aiding and abetting” the City in retaliating against their client for her years of anti-discrimination advocacy on behalf of herself and others. On the eve of the jury trial, Emeryville agreed to pay an estimated $3.6 million in damages and attorney’s fees to settle the case. The settlement was a vindication for the employee and restored her good name.
Confidential Settlement Negotiated for Woman Sexually Assaulted by Manager
Partners Sharon Vinick and Darci Burrell pursued litigation in state court on behalf of a woman earning minimum wage who had been sexually harassed, as well as assaulted, by her manager. The case settled in the mid-six figures, despite the fact that the client was an undocumented immigrant and had modest economic losses.
Confidential Settlement for Male Victim of Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
In a case involving a male assistant who was sexually harassed by his manager, partner Sharon Vinick negotiated a confidential settlement after a lawsuit was filed, but before discovery began.
