Sales director terminated after pregnancy leave; claims wrongful termination. Defense. Orange County.

Gross Verdict or Award: Defense.
Trial or Arbitration Time: 8 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 4 1/2 hours.

Summary

After returning from maternity leave, 10-year employee is terminated, she says without warning.

Case Name: Levin v. Minacs Group USA
Court and Case Number: Orange County Superior Court / 30-2016-00872438-CU-WT-CJC
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Date Action was Filed: Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Type of Case: Wrongful Termination
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Ronald Bauer
Plaintiffs:
April Levin
Defendants:
Minacs Group USA
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Grobaty Pitet LLP by Michael Grobaty and Robert Peck, Newport Beach.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Archer Norris by Sharon C. Collier, Walnut Creek.

Archer Norris by Shain Wasser, Los Angeles.

Facts and Background:
Plaintiff was discharged 10 weeks after returning from maternity leave. There was no warning and company did not go through its usual performance management process. She had been employed with defendant company approximately 10 years and held the position of Account Director at the time of her termination.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff claimed that she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for taking a maternity leave.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant contended that plaintiff was discharged for creating a hostile work environment and for her unprofessional workplace behavior. Coworkers had complained that plaintiff was unprepared at client meetings and undermined their work in front of clients.

Plaintiff claimed lost earnings totaling up to approximately $1.2 million and claimed an unidentified amount for pain, suffering, and humiliation.

Plaintiff §998 Demand: $359,999
Defendant §998 Offer: $55,000 + any statutorily recoverable costs and attorney’s fees incurred, which amounts would be determined on motion to the court.

There were no settlement discussions during the trial.