Defense Verdict –

Nguyen v. Brea Olinda Unified School District

Orange County Jury Returns 12-0 Defense Verdict!

Hylton & Associates Partners Courtney L. Hylton and Pancy Lin obtained a complete defense verdict for the Brea Olinda Unified School District in an employment discrimination case.

Plaintiff’s employment with the District was at-will and subject to renewal every year. Plaintiff alleged the District’s decision not to rehire Plaintiff for the following year was due to age discrimination and retaliation.

Prior to trial, Hylton & Associates brought a Motion for Summary Adjudication of Plaintiff’s retaliation claim, wherein the District asserted Plaintiff’s retaliation claim failed as a matter of law because there was no evidence Plaintiff made any FEHA protected complaints. The Court agreed, granted the District’s Motion for Summary Adjudication, and dismissed Plaintiff’s retaliation claim.

Plaintiff’s last demand before trial was $850,000. In closing, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award past economic damages of $86,000; future economic damages of $430,000 (wages and benefits); past emotional distress of $250,000; and future emotional distress of $250,000.

Less than one hour after the jury received the case to begin deliberations, the jury unanimously found Plaintiff’s age was not the substantial motivating reason for the District’s decision not to rehire Plaintiff, and the District did not fail to take all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination against Plaintiff.