Facts

Defendant, The Management Co. LLC, employed plaintiff Katherine Nichols as a senior executive administrative assistant. In June 2008, The Management Co. terminated Nichols' employment. Nichols brought an action against The Management Co.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff alleged that defendant fired her in retaliation for giving grand jury testimony in an investigation of alleged federal crimes committed by a company principal. She also asserted that defendant improperly refused to give her overtime by incorrectly classifying her as an exempt employee.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defense contended that plaintiff's termination occurred due to her failure to report for work for many months and asserted that plaintiff was correctly deemed to be an exempt employee.

Damages

Plaintiff requested over $150,000 for unpaid earnings and an unknown amount in lost income, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

Result

In phase one of the trial, the jury's verdict favored the defense. In phase two of the trial, the court's verdict favored the defense.

Deliberation

Phase One: one day

Length

Phase One: two days; Phase Two: four days