Civil Rights: $13,943.84 In Costs Was A Negative Award Against A Plaintiff Whose FEHA Case Was Found To Be Frivolous In Nature

Appellate Court Also Chided Plaintiffs’ Counsel For A Lack Of Civility.

            In Gonzalez v. County of Los Angeles, Case No. B317794 (2d Dist., Div. 2 July 28, 2023) (unpublished), plaintiff lost a FEHA case after demurrer and summary judgment grants.  The lower court found the FEHA claims to be frivolous, unreasonable, and groundless, awarding $13,943.84 in costs to the defense.  (Bond v. Pulsar Video Productions, 50 Cal.App.4^th 918, 921-922 (1996).)  The appellate court affirmed because plaintiff really did not contest the lower court’s findings to that effect.  But, as we have increasingly seen, it also ended with a civility reminder: “Additionally, we are troubled by the conduct of plaintiff’s counsel toward both the County’s counsel and particularly the court. We appreciate the vigorous advocacy of attorneys in representing their clients, but sarcasm, personal attacks, and an obvious lack of respect are not acceptable in the courtroom. Such behavior undermines the attorneys’ credibility and hurts the clients.”