Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore Wins Summary Judgment in $2 Million Lawsuit

Related Practices: Employment and Litigation

Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore successfully defended client Kittitas County PUD in a wrongful termination case, winning a summary judgment in a $2 million lawsuit filed against the utility and its board of commissioners. A former finance director filed the suit after she was terminated from her position in 2011.

The lawsuit accused PUD and the board of commissioners of sex and age discrimination, violations of policies, and negligent hiring and supervision. The terminated employee’s former manager was also named in the lawsuit. Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore did not represent the former manager.

“This was a personality conflict that interfered with the working relationship, not a case of discrimination,” explained Sarah Wixson, who represented the PUD and the board of commissioners.

On May 15, 2015, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Hahn agreed, granting summary judgment in favor of PUD and the board on all claims.