Jury Awards $15.8M to Genera in Fiduciary Duty Dispute
Table of Contents
Case Background
Jackson Kwok, an individual, initiated the lawsuit against Genera Corporation. The case also named T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd, Innova Holding Corporation, Jerry Wu, and Chun Chi Wu as additional Defendants. Kwok filed his Complaint for Damages in the Superior Court of California.
Cause
Kwok alleged that the Defendants took adverse action against him on or about August 31, 2021. This action included termination, layoff, forced quit, or denial of an employment benefit or privilege. He asserted that he experienced retaliation. The retaliation occurred because he reportedly resisted or opposed some form of discrimination or harassment. Specifically, Kwok claimed he was harassed and terminated due to retaliation. This was related to his complaint about possibly illegal business practices.
Injury
The Plaintiff’s allegations focused on the adverse employment action and subsequent termination. The Complaint sought monetary damages and equitable relief based on the various statutory and common law claims.
Damages
The Plaintiff's Complaint requested a judgment for damages an also a request for equitable relief from the Court. The causes of action spanned breach of contract, statutory violations, and a claim for accounting.
Key Arguments & Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Jackson Kwok
· Counsel for Plaintiff: David A. Van Riper | Gary E. Shoffner | Edward G. Operini
· Plaintiff's Expert Witness: Lynne Bolduc
Defendants: Genera Corporation | T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd | Innova Holding Corporation | Jerry Wu | Chun Chi Wu
· Counsel for Defendants: Nikki L. Wilson | Alice E. Carranza Vega | Anthony Capobianco | Dayme Sanchez | Katiana Gonzalez | Jacqueline Graves
· Defendant's Expert Witness: Neil Wertlieb
Claims
Kwok's Complaint for Damages listed nine distinct causes of action against Genera Corporation and the co-Defendants. The first two claims involved contractual disputes: Breach of Contract and Breach of Verbal Agreement. He also asserted a claim for Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy.
The next three claims focused on statutory employment protection. These included Retaliation under California Government Code section 12940. He also claimed Failure to Prevent Retaliation under the same statute. Kwok asserted a claim for Whistleblower Retaliation in violation of Labor Code section 1102.5. The Plaintiff also included causes of action for Violation of Business and Professions Code section 17200, Declaratory Relief, and Accounting.
Defense
Genera Corporation and its co-Defendants filed an Answer to Kwok's Complaint. In their response, Genera Corporation generally denied the allegations made by Kwok. The Defense denied engaging in wrongful termination, retaliation, or breach of any contract or agreement.
Genera Corporation also became a Cross-Complainant by filing a Cross-Complaint. This action sought damages and equitable relief against Kwok and Annie Mun Nee Wong. Kwok's and Wong's answers to the cross-complaint included general and specific denials of all material allegations. They denied liability for any damages Genera Corporation may have claimed.
Jury Verdict
The jury found that Genera and Jackson Kwok entered into a 2022 Settlement Agreement, and that Mr. Kwok completed all required obligations or was excused from performing them. Genera breached the settlement agreement by failing to fulfill its obligations, which caused harm to Mr. Kwok. As a result, the jury awarded Mr. Kwok damages in the amount of 180,000 dollars. On Genera’s counterclaims, the jury determined that Jackson Kwok and Annie Wong both owed and breached fiduciary duties to Genera, causing substantial harm. Consequently, the jury awarded Genera damages totaling 11,349,812.66 dollars and found Kwok and Wong jointly and severally liable. Further, the jury found that Annie Wong breached written contracts with Genera, awarding an additional 1,345,000 dollars against her. For conversion, the jury awarded damages of 1,656,084.30 dollars against Mr. Kwok and 1,445,715.00 dollars against Ms. Wong, holding them jointly and severally liable for these amounts as well. The total damages awarded to Genera for all claims, ensuring no double counting, amounted to 15,796,611.96 dollars. The verdict was issued on August 28, 2025.
Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com