LaGrone
LaGrone v. City of Oakland
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Siggins, J.
*935 Opinion
The City of Oakland (City) appeals from a judgment granting Kheven LaGrone’s petition for a writ of administrative mandamus. The trial court directed that LaGrone be reinstated to his position as an engineer with the Port of Oakland, a department of the City, with backpay and benefits. We conclude the judgment is supported by the evidence. We also conclude the court’s decision to deny LaGrone’s request for attorney fees was within its discretion. Accordingly, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
LaGrone Is Laid Off from His Position with the Port
LaGrone worked for the Port as a civil engineer from 1981 to 2008. Over the years he was promoted from junior civil engineer to assistant civil engineer and, ultimately, to associate civil engineer. In May 2002, when LaGrone was an assistant civil engineer, the Port renamed its engineering job descriptions by adding “Port” to the job titles. The new job title had no effect on LaGrone’s duties.
As a general matter, and as we shall explain in more detail, City jobs fall within specified classes. The City’s personnel manual defines “class or class of positions” as “a position or group of positions for which a common descriptive job title…