NEWS
Another Sexual Harassment Case Win for The Wright Employment Law Firm Against Los Angeles Community College
Earlier this month a 10M verdict in sexual harassment case #724401 of Los Angeles South West College Professor Dr. Sabrena Odom marked a victory for women in the arenas of both higher education and law. Top-rated, Los Angeles millennial attorney, liability expert, and founder of The Wright Employment Law Firm, Jamie E. Wright teamed up with the Law Offices of Maryann P. Gallagher to represent the plaintiff against the Los Angeles Community College system (LACCD) and its employee, Howard Irvin. Together with attorney Viri Aceves, the all-female legal team successfully secured a settlement of $8.5M against LACCD and $1.5M against Howard Irvin, setting precedent for future students and faculty alike.
“The jury corrected a wrong by the LACCD today for its failure to investigate and take action against Vice President Howard Irvin,” comments Wright. “Because of this injustice, a woman whose greatest dream was to empower the area’s lower-income students lost every sense of safety on a campus that once felt like home. Sexual harassment should never be tolerated under the umbrella of any institution and for it to have been ignored for as long as it was here, exemplifies campus acceptance. Dr. Odom’s win will hopefully inspire other women to continue to believe in the power behind their voices, too.”
This landmark trial is a shining example of California’s recent legal changes allowing promising young attorneys like Wright the chance to try high-profile cases as associate counsel. Previously, assuming a key role in a prominent case like Dr. Odom’s would prove difficult – if not impossible – for young female attorneys like Wright, even with the decade of successful legal experience she brought to the table. Gallagher, a renowned Los Angeles employment attorney with numerous wins against global corporations, served as lead counsel, empowering Wright to further prove her expertise in supporting their client’s search for justice.
Wright’s hope is that LACCD is now forced to change their policies to take complaints of sexual harassment seriously and that Howard Irvin is never allowed to supervise or teach female students again. Wright brings over 10 years of experience in labor negotiations and arbitrations, ADA disputes, civil rights, negligence, breach of contract, premises liability, and more, winning millions for her clients.
Harper Harrison is a reporter for The Hear UP. Harper got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. harper has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Harper covers health and science for The Hear UP.