On March 6, 2018, Houston partner Chris Raney obtained a complete defense award on behalf of an anesthesia provider group in a multi-million dollar wrongful termination case brought by a former physician employee. Raney tried the case before an American Arbitration Association appointed arbitrator over five days in January 2018.
The plaintiff alleged that Gordon & Rees’ client wrongfully terminated his employment under a moral turpitude cause provision, breached fiduciary duties, and discriminated against him based on race and national origin. The plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages for back and front pay. At trial, Raney argued that the provider had sufficient justification for the cause termination and its decision had nothing to do with plaintiff’s race.
Before trial, the plaintiff made a settlement demand of “high seven figures” and, at trial, requested damages exceeding $6 million.
After a weeklong trial, the arbitrator issued an award completely in favor of Gordon & Rees’ client, and denied all the plaintiff’s claims. The arbitrator also awarded Gordon & Rees’ client its attorneys’ fees, costs, and arbitration expenses.
Raney was assisted in briefing efforts by Houston senior counsel Kristina Brar and Houston associate Laura Sandman.