Employment law settlement

Published on July 15, 2025

Garcia v. TechStart Inc. - Wrongful Termination Settlement

Secured $2.8M settlement for executive wrongfully terminated after whistleblower complaint.

Client

Maria Garcia (Plaintiff)

Practice

employment-law

Jurisdiction

Superior Court of California (County of Santa Clara)

Value

$2.8M settlement

Result

Confidential settlement agreement resolving all claims with substantial compensation and policy changes.

Category

Employment Law

Meet the legal team

Attorneys Involved

Our attorneys bring deep expertise and dedication to every case. Learn more about the professionals who guided this matter to a successful resolution, each contributing specialized skills and strategic insight to deliver results for our client.

Michael Rodriguez portrait

Michael Rodriguez

Litigation Partner

Chicago Office

Commercial LitigationClass Action DefenseProduct Liability
View Profile
Emily Johnson portrait

Emily Johnson

Family Law Associate

Washington, DC Office

Divorce and SeparationChild Custody and SupportDomestic Partnerships
View Profile

Client Testimonial

"The firm's unwavering support during this difficult time made all the difference. They fought for justice and won."

— Maria Garcia

Case Facts

Maria Garcia, a senior compliance officer at TechStart Inc., was terminated shortly after reporting suspected securities violations to regulatory authorities. The company claimed her termination was due to performance issues, but internal documents revealed retaliatory motives.

Claims Asserted

  • Wrongful termination in violation of public policy
  • Whistleblower retaliation under federal and state law
  • Breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Evidence Developed

  • Email communications showing executive discussions about “silencing” Garcia
  • Performance reviews that contradicted the termination rationale
  • Timeline evidence linking termination to whistleblower activity
  • Witness testimony from former colleagues

Settlement Negotiations

After extensive discovery and motion practice, we engaged in mediated settlement discussions. The resulting agreement provided comprehensive relief:

Settlement Terms

  • Monetary Compensation: $2.8 million lump sum payment
  • Reinstatement Option: Right to return to position with back pay
  • Policy Changes: Company agreed to implement whistleblower protection policies
  • Non-Disclosure: Standard confidentiality provisions
  • Reference Agreement: Positive employment reference

Corporate Accountability

As part of the settlement, TechStart Inc. agreed to:

  • Conduct anti-retaliation training for all managers
  • Establish anonymous reporting hotline
  • Appoint independent compliance monitor for 2 years

Client Impact

This settlement not only provided substantial financial compensation but also effected meaningful change within the organization, protecting future whistleblowers from similar retaliation.

This case reinforces the importance of whistleblower protections and demonstrates that retaliation claims can lead to both individual recovery and systemic corporate improvements.