Brar v. City of Banning II (2010)

Melanie Poturica and Judith Islas prevailed in a writ action brought by the City's former Assistant Public Works Director's challenging his termination for violation of the City's sexual harassment policy.  The employee claimed there was not substantial evidence to support the City Manager's finding he had violated the sexual harassment policy, and that even if he had, termination was an excessive penalty.  Melanie and Judith successfully defended the termination in the trial court, and then when Brar brought his case to the Court of Appeal, again successfully defended both the finding that Brar had violated the City's sexual harassment policy and the penalty of termination. Brar continued his challenge by filing a petition for review, asking the California Supreme Court to hear the case.  Melanie and Judith opposed this petition, and the California Supreme Court denied Brar's request for review, leaving intact the City's victory in the Court of Appeal.