Regents of the University of California Hit With $17 Million Race & Gender Discrimination Verdict

Employment Law

Forde v. Regents of the University of California (Orange County Super Ct. 30-2018-01040553-CU-WT-NJC): On October 22, 2022 a jury awarded a $17 million verdict to plaintiff Dr. Gareth K. Forde in a gender & race discrimination case filed against the Regents of the University of California. Forde, hired in a fellowship position in the gynecology department at UCI, complained about inefficiencies that affected the treatment of patients and complained that his department was inappropriately billing the government for services performed by trainees. After declining to renew his fellowship, Forde sued the Regents of the University of California in December of 2018. Plaintiff contended that he was terminated out of retaliation for his earlier complaints and argued that he was discriminated against based on his race and gender. Plaintiff’s claim for racial and gender discrimination was adjudicated in the defendant’s favor prior to trial, but a jury ultimately ruled that the defendant was liable for ending plaintiff’s employment relationship based on plaintiff’s earlier complaints. Plaintiff was represented by the Fenton Law Group LLP.