Parker & Covert obtained Summary Judgment in a discrimination and harassment case in favor of defendant Los Angeles Community College District.

Plaintiff Fatoumata Doukoure is a part time adjunct instructor at Los Angeles Community College District in the Cosmetology Department. She filed suit against the Los Angeles Community College District alleging harassment and retaliation in violation of FEHA, race discrimination, and failure to prevent retaliation, discrimination, and harassment. (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV10783.)

Plaintiff claimed she suffered humiliation, emotional distress, and mental and physical pain and anguish as well as loss of income, earnings, and benefits as a result of being discriminated against and harassed due to her race and accent, and retaliated against for filing a grievance related to her poor treatment. Plaintiff alleged that she was not provided support in dealing with unruly students and when she filed grievances related to pay issues and class assignments, she claims she was retaliated against. She claimed that she was referred to as a "helper" and not a teacher, insinuating the connotation was that she was a "black helper." Plaintiff alleged that the Chair of the department was telling students to come up with complaints against plaintiff so they could fire plaintiff. Plaintiff further alleged that she was not being provided her full load when classes were assigned.

Our firm was able to prove that there was no evidence to support any of plaintiff's claims. The District was able to show that it provided support to plaintiff with the unruly students, including attempting to set up resolution meetings, talking to the students regarding their expected conduct in the classroom, encouraging plaintiff to get a restraining order when necessary, notifying campus police to increase patrols, and  constantly checking in with plaintiff to make sure she felt safe and supported. The evidence showed that despite plaintiff's allegations that the Chair harassed her by coming into her class uninvited to undermine her authority, plaintiff asked the Chair to sit in on her class and then thanked her for doing that because it was helpful in dealing with the students. The evidence further showed that despite the Districts efforts to assist Plaintiff, she refused to engage in any resolution meetings with the students and was combative with other staff. Defendant claimed that evidence showed that plaintiff was offered her minimum load every semester, despite complaints from students and ongoing classroom management issues.

Our office also uncovered that Plaintiff had filed a complaint alleging similar allegations against a former employer in 2018.

For more information on how we can assist you with civil litigation cases, please contact our office. Parker & Covert LLP has offices located in southern and northern California.