Cloud

Plaintiff and appellant Tina Cloud is a former employee of Northrop Grumman Corp. Northrop and plaintiff’s former supervisor at Northrop are the defendants and respondents (collectively Northrop). In November of 1995, Northrop terminated plaintiff’s employment. In June of 1996, plaintiff filed for chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy protection. ( 11 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.) In the schedule of assets she filed with the bankruptcy court, plaintiff did not disclose any claim or potential claim against Northrop.

Several months later, while her bankruptcy action was pending, plaintiff filed a complaint against Northrop with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. In November of 1996, she received a letter from the department notifying her of her right to file a lawsuit within one year. In December of 1996 (shortly after she received a bankruptcy discharge, but while her bankruptcy action remained pending), plaintiff filed the instant wrongful termination and sexual harassment action. Several months after her lawsuit was filed, plaintiff’s bankruptcy case was closed, while her lawsuit continued.

After these events, Northrop moved for judgment on the pleadings. Northrop…