Result

Los Angeles Employment attorneys Debra Ellwood Meppen, Tamar Karaguezian and Ashley Coleman prevailed on summary judgment in favor of their client, a multi-state logistics company, in a lawsuit filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
 
Plaintiff originally alleged various causes of action including hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, negligence and wrongful termination.  After several successful demurrers, the defense was able to whittle down the case to just one cause of action for retaliation. 
 
Although Plaintiff had an extensive written history of poor work performance, Plaintiff, nonetheless, alleged he was retaliated against and his employment was terminated based upon a purported complaint to management about his supervisors' "harassing treatment" of him.  Based on key admissions from Plaintiff in deposition, the defense team moved for summary judgment.  The defense argued Plaintiff was unable to refute the employer's legitimate reasons for its disciplinary actions and, ultimately, plaintiff's termination. Plaintiff failed to set forth substantial evidence of pretext or of a causal connection between his purported complaint and any of the adverse employment actions taken against him (including the termination).  The Court agreed and granted the defense motion, resulting in a complete victory for the client.