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Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
Violation of Public Policy

Michael C. Sotiriou v. Dennis E. Baca

Published: Jul. 26, 1997 | Result Date: Dec. 1, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 971330 Bench Verdict –  $75,000

Judge

Richard P. Figone

Court

San Francisco Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Marc S. Janowitz


Defendant

William Clough


Experts

Plaintiff

Robert H. Platt
(Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP) (medical)

Defendant

Thomas L. Hardy
(medical)

Facts

On April 26, 1995, plaintiff Michael Sotiriou, a 52-year-old property manager, was fired by defendant Dennis E. Baca. The plaintiff claimed that he was terminated because he would not commit perjury on behalf of the defendant in the defendant's efforts to evict a tenant in the defendant's building. The defendant claimed the plaintiff voluntarily resigned. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on wrongful termination and violation of public policy theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $35,000. The defendant made C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $8,500.

Specials in Evidence

$24,700

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed he suffered emotional distress.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year and five months after the case filed. A settlement conference was held on July 3, 1996 before Judge William J. Cahill of San Francisco County Superior Court. It did not resolve the matter.

Poll

________ (#s pls. or Bench???)

Length

8 days


#124070

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