Los Angeles, California — December 27, 2024
Atticus Law Group, a premier Los Angeles-based law firm specializing in employment law and civil rights litigation, proudly announces a major trial victory in Stanislaus County Superior Court. On December 12, 2024, a Modesto jury awarded $1,514,000 to our client, Joann Sakurada, in a case involving disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and violations of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). This verdict is the second-largest employment law and civil rights award in Stanislaus County Superior Court history.
The lawsuit was filed against Keyes Community Services District, an independent government agency, which the jury found to have unlawfully terminated Ms. Sakurada while she was on an approved medical leave of absence for knee surgery. The jury’s decision affirmed that the Defendant violated California employment laws by failing to provide reasonable accommodations, refusing to engage in the legally required interactive process, and implementing an illegal “100% healed” policy that required Ms. Sakurada to be completely free of medical restrictions to return to work.
“We are deeply grateful to the jury for holding Keyes Community Services District fully accountable for its violations of the law,” said Jeff Ranen, lead trial counsel at Atticus Law Group. “This case underscores the critical importance of California’s employment protections for workers with disabilities and those who require medical leave. Employers must recognize and respect these rights, and this verdict sends a strong message that no employer is above the law,”
Ms. Sakurada, who worked as an Office Assistant, was unjustly terminated despite her exemplary performance and a clear medical need (reconstructive knee surgery) for minor workplace accommodations. The jury’s decision not only compensates her for these harms but also highlights the broader societal importance of upholding workers’ rights.
Atticus Law Group commends the jury’s commitment to justice and their affirmation of the principles underlying California’s robust employment laws. These protections are essential to ensuring that workers are treated with dignity and respect, especially when facing medical challenges.
Atticus Law Group also warmly thanks its co-counsel, Amir Seyedfarshi of Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, for associating our law firm as lead trial counsel on such a righteous case.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Parisa Khademi
Managing Partner
Atticus Law Group
Phone: (213) 886-7172
Email: pkhademi@atticuslawgroup.com
About Atticus Law Group
Atticus Law Group is a law firm dedicated to pursuing justice on behalf of individuals facing mistreatment in the workplace. Our firm is comprised entirely of former defense attorneys with decades of experience. We rely on our prior employment defense backgrounds to now bring vindication to our clients who have been wronged by their current or former employers.