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Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
Sexual Harassment

Elisabeth Saret-Cook v. Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett

Published: Nov. 2, 1996 | Result Date: Aug. 29, 1968 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC116590 –  $0

Judge

Arnold H. Gold

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Ellen R. Serbin

John C. Thornton


Defendant

Henry J. Josefsberg
(Law Office of Henry J. Josefsberg)

Richard S. Rosenberg
(Ballard, Rosenberg, Golper & Savitt LLP)

Linda Miller Savitt
(Ballard, Rosenberg, Golper & Savitt LLP)


Experts

Defendant

Gilbert Kelly
(medical)

Jack Share
(medical)

David N. Glaser
(medical)

Facts

Plaintiff Saret-Cook a 33-year-old paralegal/law clerk, was employed by defendant-cross complainant Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley and Jennett. In May 1993, she became involved in a extra-marital sexual relationship with defendant Clifford Woosley, who was then a partner at the firm. The plaintiff became pregnant with defendant Woosley's child. In March 1994, the plaintiff signed a separation agreement and agreed to leave the firm five months later, upon her completion of the State Bar's Law Office Study Program. She initially claimed the entire relationship was sexual harassment. She also claimed that she was retaliated against and harassed by the firm after she became pregnant. She claimed that the partners harassed her after signing the separation agreement. She sued both defendant Woosley and the defendant law firm for sexual harassment and retaliation, breach of contract and wrongful termination.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $ ______. The defendants made a C.c.P. º998 offer of compromise for $ _____.

Specials in Evidence

$ _______ $ _______

Injuries

The plaintiff requested back pay, compensatory damages for lost wages and for physical and mental suffering and punitive damages. The defendant-cross complainant sought attorneys' fees and costs. Defendant Woosley claimed that the plaintiff caused him emotional distress by telling him that she had been pregnant with twins and that one had died. Defendant Woosley claimed other damages as a result of the plaintiff's disruptive conduct.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately _____ years and ______ months after the case was filed. Upon hearing the verdict, plaintiff Saret-Cook was taken to county jail for contempt of court to serve at least 50 hours of the five-day sentence she received for violating the court's order not to speak with opposing counsel. Plaintiff Saret-Cook was subsequently sentenced to an additional 240 hours (144 suspended) for other violations fo court orders. In addition, the Judge issued an OSC regarding sanctions against plaintiff.

Deliberation

3.5 hours

Poll

12-0

Length

6 weeks


#78866

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