Clark v. Westrec Marina Management, Inc.

Outcome: Jury found sex discrimination and punitive damages

Description: For the second time a Contra Costa County jury has found that plaintiff Bette Clark was discriminated against on account of her gender, and awarded substantial economic and emotional distress damages to her, ending a six-year legal battle. A 2005 trial ended with a prior jury award $177,000 in favor of Bette Clark, but a new trial was granted to the defendant. The second trial, which concluded Phase I (liability and damages) in November 2008, led to a second jury verdict and $137,750 net damages award in Ms. Clark's favor. The second jury also found Westrec liable for punitive damages, and the underlying case settled on March 10, 2009, for a confidential sum. The Court awarded $750,000 in attorneys fees and court costs to Adams, and entered a final judgment on December 2, 2009.