In Romero v. County of Kern, published December 15, 2025, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed judgment on the pleadings granted to the defendant county. The plaintiff, a captain in the county fire department complained to the battalion chief and the deputy chief that the fire extinguishers on the county’s fire engines were being…
In Lampkin v. County of Los Angeles, published July 8, 2025, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 1 reversed a trial court order granting the plaintiff his attorney fees. The plaintiff, a county employee, sued the county for whistleblower retaliation under Labor Code section 1102.5. He sought only damages. The jury found that the employee…
In Brown v. City of Inglewood, published July 7, 2025, the California Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the lower court of appeal, which reversed the denial of an anti-SLAPP special motion to strike. The plaintiff, the elected treasurer of the defendant city, wrote to the city and several of its officials, including the mayor and…
In Ververka v. Department of Veterans Affairs, ordered published May 22, 2024, the First District Court of Appeal, Division 1 affirmed a trial court's denial of a motion to vacate a jury verdict. The plaintiff alleged that the state agency he worked for removed him from his administrator position based on whistleblowing. He sued the agency…
In Brown v. City of Inglewood, ordered published June 30, 2023, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 1 reversed in part a trial court decision denying an anti-SLAPP special motion to strike. The plaintiff was the elected treasurer of the defendant city. She alleged that after she reported concerns about financial improprieties, the city and…
In Vatalaro v. County of Sacramento, ordered published June 1, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment for the defendant county in a whistleblower retaliation suit under Labor Code section 1102.5. The plaintiff, an administrative analyst, was promoted to an administrative services officer position. The position was probationary for six months. The plaintiff…
In Nejadian v. County of Los Angeles, published October 1, 2019, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 4, reversed a judgment after jury trial against the defendant county, and ordered judgment entered in the county's favor. The plaintiff, an Environmental Health Specialist, alleged that he was retaliated against for declining to allow home rebuilding plans…
In Ross v. County of Riverside, ordered published June 10, 2019, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 1 reversed summary judgment in favor of the defendant county on the plaintiff's claims for violation of Labor Code section 1102.5 and the disability discrimination provisions of FEHA. The plaintiff, a deputy district attorney, inherited a case from…