Employment Attorney

Business Trial Lawyer

Community Activist Tony Wafford Lawsuit Judgement

$60,000 Sexual Harassment Judgment and $235,972 in Attorney Fees Awarded Against Community Activist Tony Wafford

On November 1, 2010, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Los Angeles employment lawyer Jeffrey W. Cowan’s client Sharon Song Byrd and against African American community activist Tony Wafford (aka Anthony Wafford). Defendant Tony Wafford had been Ms. Byrd’s supervisor at the Palms Residential Care Facility in Los Angeles. After a two week trial, the jury found Defendant Tony Wafford liable for (1) sexually harassing Ms. Byrd and (2) the tort of battery (from hitting her and causing permanent nerve damage to her hand). The jury awarded Ms. Byrd compensatory damages and $20,000 in punitive damages against Defendant Tony Wafford.

Because of a legal mistake in the jury’s award, a 2nd trial (with a judge; no jury) was conducted on July 18, 2011. Thereafter, the court issued a $60,000 judgment against Tony Wafford, which consisted of $40,000 in general damages (i.e., emotional distress) regarding the sexual harassment and $20,000 in punitive damages.

Fair Employment and Housing Act Lawyer Jeffrey Cowen

Thereafter, the court granted Ms. Byrd’s motion for attorney's fees (pursuant to Government Code § 12965(b) of the Fair Employment and Housing Act) and awarded $235,972 in legal fees (which included a modest multiplier).

To see the judgment, click here.

To see the order granting the motion for attorney's fees and costs, click here.

Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Judgment | Attorney Jeffrey Cowan

To learn more about the facts at issue in this sexual harassment and battery lawsuit (LASC Case No. BC 403677), read the briefs that Los Angeles employment lawyer Jeffrey Cowan filed in support of his motion to conduct discovery about Defendant Wafford's finances by clicking here, here and here.

News stories about the trial include the following:

Zimbio.com Article

Los Angeles Wave Article