Attorney Toni Jaramilla
I want to make sure that LAUSD employees do not face retaliation for standing up for their rights and speaking out when they see discrimination. I am just so grateful to the members of the jury for holding LAUSD accountable for their actions.
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) November 06, 2018
Jesus Melendez, the plaintiff in the case (Case No. BC 635349, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court) who has worked as an attorney in the LAUSD’s Office of General Counsel for over thirty years, blew the whistle on the District’s Latino “Glass Ceiling.” In 2003, he reported that the LAUSD discriminated against Latinos in the Office of General Counsel in terms of pay and promotions. Melendez later filed a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing for race discrimination.
In 2011 when Melendez applied for a promotion, the LAUSD cited his 2003 complaint of discrimination as a “significant issue” that management should consider in deciding whether he was right for the job. LAUSD then offered the promotion to someone else, which prompted Melendez to sue the District for retaliation.
The jury in the case found that the LAUSD retaliated against Melendez for filing a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and for raising concerns to upper management about the District’s discriminatory practices against Latinos in the Office of General Counsel. “LAUSD’s hollow denials were soundly rejected by the jury in their verdict for Mr. Melendez. This is a victory for all people who speak out against injustice,” said attorney for the plaintiff Jaramilla.
On October 22, 2018, the Court entered judgment for Melendez in the amount of $210,833, in addition to his attorneys’ fees and costs, estimated at over $1,000,000.
“I feel justice has been served,” said Melendez. “I want to make sure that LAUSD
employees do not face retaliation for standing up for their rights and speaking out when they see discrimination. I am just so grateful to the members of the jury for holding LAUSD accountable for their actions.”
About Toni Jaramilla, A Professional Law Corporation
Toni Jaramilla is committed to achieving the best possible results for employees who have experienced problems in the workplace. Serving clients throughout Los Angeles, her focus is on achieving positive social change for workers. Through zealous and ethical advocacy, lawyers at the firm have built a reputation for excellence in the practice of employment and labor law. For more information, please call (310) 551-3020, or visit http://www.jaramilla.com. The office is located at 12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
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