January 3, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Klinedinst Marketing

David Monks Wins Six Summary Judgment Motions in Recent Employment Law Case

SAN DIEGO, CA - Klinedinst attorney David B. Monks recently won six summary judgment motions in an employment discrimination and harassment case.

The plaintiffs were three sisters who formerly worked for a company that creates gift baskets and similar products. Klinedinst represented the gift basket company, the plaintiffs' former supervisor, and three high-level managers or officers who were named as defendants. The plaintiffs claimed that they were compelled to resign their jobs because of excessive work demands and rude behavior by their supervisor. The focus of their claims was the contention that this excessive workload demand and the impolite conduct were improper because they were allegedly based on the fact that the plaintiffs were the sisters of a man who broke off a romantic relationship with the supervisor. According to the plaintiffs, their family relationship with the paramour of their supervisor was protected under California law. The plaintiffs also made claims against the individual defendants, asserting that they encouraged and assisted the supervisor to commit the alleged harassment and discrimination.

Because of the various types of claims among the eight parties, David had to file six separate motions for summary judgment to attempt to get the case dismissed before trial. The Riverside Superior Court (the Honorable Sharon Waters in Department 6) granted all six motions, finding that no trial was necessary to establish that the defendants did not harass or discriminate against the plaintiffs in any manner. The court also found that the plaintiffs' working conditions were not intolerable and, therefore, did not justify the plaintiffs' decisions to leave their jobs.

David Monks has extensive experience in all phases of litigation in the areas of employment law, public entity defense, bad faith, toxic tort, business litigation and personal injury. Before joining Klinedinst, David was an associate attorney with Bacalski, Byrne & Koska, where his responsibilities included counseling employers on matters involving revision of employee handbooks, wage and hour issues, employee discipline and daily file handling and communication with clients.

Additionally, David is proficient in Spanish, and has participated in presentations and training seminars for major hotel chains regarding employment discrimination and harassment. David was also a featured speaker at Klinedinst's Employment Law Seminar, "Trial By Fire," in December 2001. David received his B.A. in 1986 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, before earning his Juris Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Law in 1992.

KLINEDINST PC is a highly-rated full-service law firm engaged in business transactions and litigation, employment and labor law, professional liability, environmental law, appellate law, construction and real estate, intellectual property, and international law. Klinedinst is comprised of highly skilled and experienced individuals offering a range of sophisticated legal services to corporate, institutional, and individual clients.