Retaliation

Sexual Harassment Case Against UC Regents

In a landmark case against the UC Regents and former UC Berkeley School of Law Dean, Sujit Choudhry, LVBH Partners Leslie Levy and Sharon Vinick, along with Associate Jennifer Sta.Ana, represented Tyann Sorrell, who worked as the Executive Assistant to the former Dean. According to the Complaint filed by Ms. Sorrell in Alameda County Superior Court, during the time she worked with him, Choudhry repeatedly kissed her on the cheek, hugged her, and touched her without her consent. She was subjected to this pervasive behavior on a daily basis without any recourse.

Ms. Sorrell’s complaint also alleged that on multiple occasions and through different avenues, Ms. Sorrell attempted to report Choudhry’s behavior to University officials but her complaints were essentially ignored while Choudhry’s actions continued. When her complaints were finally investigated, Choudhry received trifling discipline, and Ms. Sorrell was subjected to more adverse treatment because she was transferred to a less desirable position. When Choudhry eventually left the University, and Ms. Sorrell demanded that she be reinstated, she received a significant pay cut. Partners Leslie Levy and Sharon Vinick took over representation of Ms. Sorrell about six months after her lawsuit was originally filed. The case has garnered a great deal of press and publicity.

Settlement of Case Brought on Behalf of Multiple Women Alleging Sexual Harassment and Wage Theft

Partners Leslie Levy and Sharon Vinick filed a case alleging sexual harassment and wage theft complaint on behalf of four women who worked for a large health care corporation. The women alleged that they were sexually harassed by their supervisor, who made lewd comments to them, touched them without their consent, and repeatedly suggested that they should go out with him. The women also claimed that they were not being compensated for overtime hours worked. Leslie and Sharon settled reached a six figure settlement of the case within a few months of filing the complaint.

Settlement for Plaintiff Who Suffered Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment

Partners Leslie Levy and Sharon Vinick filed suit on behalf of a woman working to provide services for homeless adults. The employee, as well as some female clients, were sexually harassed by her co-worker. Despite the employee’s report of the illegal behavior no action was taken against the harasser. Instead, the employer transferred her to another facility and demoted her. The claims included sexual harassment, retaliation, and failure to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment. The matter settled with the woman returning to her prior job title and duties, an investigation into the harassment complaints, transfer of the harasser and a near six figure settlement.

Nursing Home Employee Subjected to Discrimination on Basis of Race and Disability Settles Case

Partner Leslie Levy filed a complaint on behalf of a disabled African American woman who was employed at a Bay Area nursing home facility. The employee was denied approved disability leave and subjected to differential treatment because of her race. Additionally, the employer failed to provide basic accommodations for the employee, such as wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The employer terminated the worker following her complaints and replaced her with a non-disabled, non-African American employee. The matter settled in the mid-six figures.

Car Dealership Faces Arbitration for Discrimination and Harassment

LVBH lawyers Jean Hyams and Rebecca Kagin represented a woman who worked in car sales in court and arbitration against a Toyota car dealership for gender and national origin discrimination and harassment. She also brought a claim that the owner of the dealership retaliated against her after she filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Car dealerships are notoriously abusive work environments for women and people of color and employers in this industry frequently deprive their employees of the right to a jury trial by insisting on forced arbitration clauses as a term of employment. This is just one of multiple cases LVBH has pursued to take on car dealerships that engage in discriminatory practices and perpetuate hostile work environments.