Johnson-Bari v. Sterling Savings BankMultnomah County Circuit CourtPortland, Oregon We defended the insured, Sterling Bank, against allegations of discrimination and wrongful termination based on her perceived sexual orientation. Sterling Bank’s answer denied the plaintiff’s allegations and asserted that she was terminated for opening a significant trust account without proper documentation. Sterling Bank also asserted an after-acquired evidence defense based on plaintiff’s illegal recording of a meeting relating to one of her performance disciplines. Sterling Bank was able to play the recording at trial, which demonstrated that the defendant did not perceive the plaintiff as having the sexual orientation she alleged. Following a five-day jury trial, and after just 35 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict. |