Victor L. George

George grew up in Charleston, West Virginia, and "it was a tale of two cities," he said.

Many residents lived well - but for those working in the coal mines, it was a tough life. "You learned which side you're on," he added.

George was raised in a very liberal family who stressed compassion and not judging others based on their socio-economic status, race or religion. "That's probably what guided me," he said. "I really enjoy people, and I always have."

One of George's more recent victories was in March in a retaliation and disability discrimination case.

His client, Patricia Samson, contended that her employer, Wells Fargo, decided to intentionally terminate her while she was on medical leave and chose not to inform her until she returned. She also claimed that her former employer used her medical leave as a pre-text to suggest poor performance as grounds for termination. Samson v. Wells Fargo Bank N.A., 16-4839-GW-AGRx (C. D. Cal. filed July 1, 2016).

Wells Fargo said, according to court filings, Samson's termination was decided over two weeks before her medical leave began and that she had an opportunity for another position after she was let go. Wells Fargo won a motion for summary judgment but George convinced the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the lower court's ruling in 2019.

The trial proceeded in the district court, where the jury found for the plaintiff on the retaliation claim and awarded her $500,000, including $400,000 in punitive damages. George has also asked for $1.7 million in attorney's fees against the defendant.

George's field of law so very competitive, "so I find when people come in and I take their case, I very much believe in it," he said. "You become so involved in the case; that's your only shot at justice."

-- Karen Weil