J. Mira Hashmall

UC Riverside’s chief campus counsel, Michele Coyle, was Hashmall’s client in a marquee gender discrimination suit against the state university system that ended in early 2017 with a jury granting Coyle $2.5 million for retaliation by school officials in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act. In July Hashmall and Miller Barondess were awarded $1.5 million in attorney fees.

“A very challenging case,” Hashmall said. “The University of California has a strong reputation and presence in this state, especially in Riverside. Yet our client stood up against gender discrimination and the jury saw that.” Coyle was terminated on the eve of a federal audit to determine whether UC Riverside complied with its obligations under state and federal law to prohibit discrimination, retaliation and harassment on the campus. Her firing was an effort by school officials to conceal information from the auditors after she alleged that she and other women were subjected to “rampant gender discrimination” by Dallas M. Rabenstein, UC Riverside’s executive vice chancellor.

Hashmall’s complaint on behalf of Coyle alleged that Rabenstein gave men better promotions and salary increases, intentionally misreported data on gender-based salary differences for the federal audit, refused to accommodate women with young children, called some women “biddies” and disparaged some who asked for raises as “overly aggressive.” Jurors agreed and also found that UC General Counsel Charles Robinson and former UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy White retaliated against Coyle in violation of Labor Code section 1102.5.

“We went in knowing the jury would need strong evidence, and we painted a full picture of our client, including years of great performance reviews. The jury heard the story of one woman who went to the provost and complained only to be advised to switch departments.” Coyle v. Regents of the University of California Riverside, RIC1503362 (Riverside Super. Ct., filed March 19, 2015).

“I feel we’re at an exciting time to be a woman in the legal profession,” Hashmall said. She also represents the County of Los Angeles in litigation over action it took to protect residents and the environment in the wake of the Aliso Canyon natural gas disaster. “The county’s board of supervisors now has a majority of women members. Sachi Hamai is the county’s chief executive officer. Mary Wickham is the county counsel. I’m thrilled to represent them.”

Hashmall said her firm is on board. “Miller Barondess has strong initiatives to hire and train women and minority attorneys. We are inspired by the county. We believe that a diverse legal team brings creativity and unique perspectives to solving our clients’ complex legal problems.”

— John Roemer