Steele

The Youthful Offender Parole Board (YOPB) appeals the judgment finding it liable under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) (Gov. Code, § 12900 et seq.) for retaliation against Lisa Steele (plaintiff or Lisa) and awarding her $9,046 in past economic damages. The YOPB also appeals the trial court’s postjudgment order granting plaintiff $146,705 in attorney fees as the prevailing party in her FEHA action.

The YOPB contends the FEHA judgment must be reversed because (1) there is insufficient evidence plaintiff suffered a constructive discharge from her employment with the YOPB and, thus, she suffered no “adverse employment action” as required for her FEHA retaliation claim, and (2) there is insufficient evidence of a causal link between plaintiff’s protected activity and the alleged adverse employment action. The YOPB contends the order granting attorney fees must be reversed once the underlying judgment is reversed. We conclude substantial evidence supports the judgment and therefore, affirm both the judgment and the order awarding fees.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Anthony Peacock was a longtime California state employee. In May 1999 he left his permanent…