Vellon v. DWP Verdict

“On July 29, 2008 , Partner Linda Miller Savitt and Associate Philip Reznik obtained a defense verdict in Duamel Vellon vs. City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power (Los Angeles Superior Court case no. BC 343494). The case involved a former high-level manager who claimed that he had been terminated based on his race and nationality and in retaliation for making complaints about discrimination. After 13 days of trial and five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously rejected the plaintiff’s race discrimination claims and delivered an 11-1 defense verdict on his retaliation claims. Prior to trial, the Court granted a defense motion for summary adjudication of additional claims for wrongful termination in violation of public policy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Court also granted a defense motion to require the plaintiff – who lives outside of California – defendant’s to post a $110,000 bond before pursuing his claims in a California court. The costs will be recovered from these funds.”