LaFleur

FACTS

LaFleur began working at Woodbridge in November 2011. She became pregnant in early 2012, and was terminated from her position on April 25, 2012. LaFleur brought suit against Woodbridge, alleging violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA; Gov. Code, §§ 12940 and 12945.) At trial, Woodbridge presented testimony from LaFleur’s supervisor, who denied knowing she was pregnant at the time he decided to fire her. He testified he had instead repeatedly warned her about gossiping and being disruptive in the office. LaFleur testified her supervisor knew about her pregnancy and had fired another pregnant employee the month before. The jury returned a verdict for LaFleur and awarded her $30,000 in damages. Attorney fees were sought under Government Code section 12965, subdivision (b) for $635,000. Those were denied on the ground the requested fees were not reasonable. The trial court found the lodestar to be $160,780 and declined to impose a multiplier. Woodbridge timely appealed.

DISCUSSION

I. Jury Instruction

Woodbridge’s defense at trial rested on the argument that LaFleur was fired for a legitimate reason: she was disrupting the office environment by…