Partner Mike Lucey, Senior Counsel Kevin Whittaker and Associate Stephanie Wersel obtained a defense verdict in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of Stanford University in a wrongful termination action. The lawsuit was brought by a former employee of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The plaintiff was terminated for violating the University's sexual harassment policy.
The plaintiff's complaint alleged that he was wrongfully terminated based on race and in retaliation for whistle blowing. He also alleged that Stanford breached his employment contract because Stanford did not have good cause to terminate him. After the plaintiff rested his case, Gordon & Rees successfully moved for non-suit on the plaintiff's race discrimination claim. The jury then returned a defense verdict on the plaintiff's retaliation and breach of contract claims.