Steptoe Scores Summary Judgment in Favor of Taco Bell

Steptoe partner Katessa Davis of the Century City office recently won a summary judgment on behalf of Taco Bell Corp. in a race and age discrimination, violation of public policy, and wage and hour action in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The plaintiff claimed she was terminated for blowing the whistle on her supervisor who allegedly violated the California Health & Safety Code and for her race and age. 

In its 12-page ruling, the Court adopted Taco Bell's arguments and found that the plaintiff failed to prove her claims of discrimination, rejected her retaliation claims and found that the undisputed evidence established that she had agreed in writing to certain arrangements. This was a significant victory for Taco Bell, which initially offered plaintiff the equivalent of a year's salary to settle.