APPELLATE COURT AFFIMS SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT AGAINST CLAIMS OF RETALIATION AND BREACH OF CONTRACT.

Rankin, Shuey, Ranucci, Mintz, Lampasona & Reynolds attorneys Maria M. Lampasona and Damon M. Thurston recently prevailed on appeal on behalf of a northern California community college district in defending against an employment law action brought a terminated administrator who claimed that the termination of his employment was retaliatory in violation of FEHA, Labor Code 1102.5 and the Education Code. Having established non-retaliatory bases for the termination on summary judgment, as well as a lack of causation between the administrator’s alleged whistle-blowing activity and the termination of employment, the First District Court of Appeals agreed with the defense arguments and analysis, affirming the judgment, and awarding costs against the plaintiff administrator. Ms. Lampasona and Mr. Thurston’s representation of the community college district also resulted in the collection of a significant fee award against the plaintiff administrator pursuant to a special motion to strike under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which was not appealed.