Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Partner Rachel Salvin and Senior Counsel Shira Diamant Astuti secured a complete summary judgment ruling in favor of their client, an iconic Los Angeles car dealership, in an employment lawsuit asserting wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims.
The GRSM team resolved the matter in its entirety, securing the summary judgment result a mere month before the start of a hotly anticipated jury trial, which brought an end to a contentious legal battle that had lasted more than two and a half years.
The plaintiff, a former sales manager, alleged that he was discriminated against based on his age and disability when he was terminated from his employment at the dealership. He further alleged that the dealership owed him unpaid salary, commissions, and vacation pay. The plaintiff signed and executed a severance agreement following his termination. Yet, he filed suit in contravention of that agreement and challenged the legal validity of that contract.
GRSM was able to establish the validity and enforceability of the contract at issue. Moreover, through thorough, targeted discovery, the GRSM team was able to demonstrate that the plaintiff’s termination was based on a clear-cut, legitimate business decision: the sale of the dealership to new owners. GRSM was also able to establish that plaintiff was appropriately paid out all wages during the course and scope of his employment, as well as following his legitimate separation.
The court agreed with GRSM’s arguments that the severance agreement was binding and enforceable and that the termination was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons. Accordingly, the court granted summary judgment and dismissed the claims against the firm’s client with prejudice, quoting the GRSM moving papers repeatedly in its formal ruling.
This outcome once again highlights the proficiency of GRSM’s Employment practice in thoughtfully and effectively defending employers against discrimination, contract, and wrongful termination claims, particularly those involving clear documentation and adherence to compliant workplace policies.