A jury ruled in favor of the defendants in a $50 million sexual discrimination trial in New York federal court.
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Catafago Fini LLP, a Manhattan boutique business litigation law firm, scored a massive defense trial victory in New York federal court on November 13 on behalf of its client, Air China, in a sexual discrimination case. The plaintiff sought $50 million in punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Air China, awarding the plaintiff, Huan Wang, nothing. Plaintiff was represented by Abrams Fensterman, LLP, which, due to the defense verdict, also lost any opportunity to claim legal fees against the defendants.
Ms. Wang, a former employee of the management company that oversaw the day-to-day operations of Air China's facility located at 485 West Broadway in Long Beach, New York, alleged that one of Air China's employees had subjected her to a hostile work environment in 2015 and 2016. She further alleged that after reporting the sexual discrimination to Air China, she was retaliated against by having her position terminated in November 2016.
Ms. Wang alleged that as a result of their purported actions, defendants Air China and LB Oceanfront Corporation sexually discriminated against her and created a hostile work environment, retaliated against her, and aided and abetted each other's discrimination. Ms. Wang brought her claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law.
Following four days of testimony from seven witnesses, the jury heard closing arguments by the parties. During these arguments, Ms. Wang's counsel asked that, in addition to compensatory damages, the jury award her $50 million in punitive damages. After deliberating for approximately an hour and a half, the jury came back with a complete defense verdict, finding zero liability on the part of the defendants.
"We are gratified that the jury has rendered a fair and just verdict for Air China," said Jacques Catafago, a partner at Catafago Fini LLP and the lead attorney for Air China. "The jury found that Air China did not violate the laws Ms. Wang claimed it did, and found no fault on the part of the company or LB Oceanfront Corporation."
The case is captioned Huan Wang v. Air China Limited, et al., No. 17-cv-06662, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The case was before U.S. District Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie.
Air China is represented by Jacques Catafago and Sarah M. Dyer of Catafago Fini LLP.
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SOURCE Catafago Fini LLP
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