Rivas

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Settlement Negotiations in the Prior Employment Discrimination Case

Prior to the present litigation, Rivas filed a complaint against Defendants, who were her former employers, alleging multiple causes of action relating to discrimination and harassment in the workplace. On June 10, 2022, the parties participated in a mandatory settlement conference (MSC) held remotely before Judge Pro Tempore L. Eugene Hallsted (Temporary Judge Hallsted). Philip DeLuca (DeLuca) represented Rivas, and Angela Serranzana (Serranzana) represented Defendants.

1 All future statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise indicated.

2 We construe Rivas’s appeal to include an appeal from the judgment.

2 Immediately following the MSC, Temporary Judge Hallsted sent an e-mail to the parties stating that in his opinion the current value of the settlement was $125,000.00, which the parties could accept before 11:30 a.m. that day. At 10:51 a.m., DeLuca e-mailed Temporary Judge Hallsted, “I hereby accept the Mediator’s proposal of $125,000 on behalf of Plaintiff, Dora Rivas. Thank you.” At 11:31 a.m., Serranzana e-mailed Temporary Judge Hallsted, “We’ll…