Sexual Harassment

In Dababneh v. Doja, Inc. et al, the plaintiff, Tania Dababneh, filed suit against her former employers in the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, alleging severe workplace misconduct. Ms. Dababneh claimed she was subjected to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and a hostile work environment, which culminated in her wrongful termination in violation of public policy. On November 14, 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found Doja, Inc. liable for discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination, and determined that individual defendant Ayad Jaber contributed to the hostile work environment. The jury awarded Ms. Dababneh $300,000 in past noneconomic damages and $800,000 in future noneconomic damages. Additionally, finding that Doja, Inc. acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, the jury assessed $900,000 in punitive damages against the corporation. The total judgment amounted to $2,000,000.

LL John Doe MB sued the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for childhood sexual assault by an employee and negligent supervision. The Plaintiff alleged severe, lasting emotional and physical injuries. The School District denied all allegations, citing governmental immunity. The matter was resolved before trial, with the Defendant agreeing to a settlement of $675,000.

The civil lawsuit, Jane Doe 7073 v. Charter Oak Unified School District, et al. (Case No. 22PSCV01794), arose from a former student's claim that a school employee, identified as Max Young, committed repeated sexual misconduct while she attended school. The plaintiff asserted that the Charter Oak Unified School District (COUSD) was negligent, having breached its duty to provide a safe environment by failing to properly supervise and intervene regarding the employee's behavior. The plaintiff sought extensive damages for severe emotional distress and psychological trauma. The District denied institutional negligence, arguing the employee’s actions were isolated and outside the scope of employment. After intensive legal proceedings and expert testimony, the litigation concluded before trial. The parties reached a final, binding settlement where the Charter Oak Unified School District agreed to pay the plaintiff a total of $2,000,000 to resolve all claims. This settlement did not include an admission of liability from the District but brought closure to the highly scrutinized case.

After 25 years of service, Senior Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller filed a landmark lawsuit against the County of Orange, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and Chief Assistant DA Shawn Nelson. Miller alleged the two top officials intentionally created a hostile work environment and subjected her to retaliation after she defended junior female colleagues who had reported sexual harassment by a close associate of Spitzer. Miller claimed this systematic campaign of humiliation and marginalization forced her into early retirement—a constructive termination. The San Diego jury ultimately sided with Miller, holding the defendants liable and awarding a total verdict of $3.025 million, including $25,000 in punitive damages personally paid by Todd Spitzer.