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Trial Victory!
It’s finally time for me to share some of the details of our trial victory back in October. Another attorney and I were representing a whistleblower who worked for Dakota County. She had discovered and reported illegal activity within weeks of being hired by Dakota County. The illegal activity she discovered was already known, but no one was doing anything about it. So, my brave client reported the illegal activity again, because something needed to be done. Nothing was done. So she reported it again, and continued to ask people what should be done. Her supervisor, angry about my client’s reports, started to retaliate against her, starting holding her to a higher standard than her colleagues, and eventually made the case to get rid of my brave client. My client was brave, but Dakota County did terminate her, and then accused her of being a liar.
Eventually, the case went to a jury. The jury was able to hear my client’s testimony, the testimony of her co-workers, and also the testimony of her supervisor and other higher-ups in Dakota County. The jury came back in favor of our client. She was awarded her back pay damages, front pay damages, emotional distress, and attorneys fees, totaling more than $500,000. It was such a thrilling victory and I was so proud of my client for standing up for herself.
Being a whistleblower is never easy, and my client went through a lot to get to a jury. But justice was served. And now she has moved on and knows that she has made a difference. It felt so good to represent her, and to hear the jury verdict read in open court. Conard Nelson Schaffer eagerly awaits their next trial!