Archive for the ‘Spokane Law’ Category
Spokane Country Club Discrimination Case
In mid-July 2009, the Spokane Country Club was sued by three women (one may be a transgender woman, I am not sure). The suit is primarily for gender discrimination. The action is in Superior Court in Spokane County. The plaintiffs are represented by “super lawyer” Mary Schultz. The defendants (and there are a bunch) are represented by Tom McLane of Randall Danskin.
The claims assert (1) breach of contract, (2) gender discrimination under state law (RCW Ch. 49.60), (3) gender discrimination in real estate transactions under state law (RCW 49.60.222), and (4) violation of the state Consumer Protection Act (RCW Ch. 19.86).
The case should be interesting to watch. Schultz is a darling of the local legal fraternity and the sort of lawyer the Washington State Bar Association looks up to and reveres. She is a lawyer who wins large jury verdicts and is sure that you know it. She also knows how to write a great contingency fee agreement and is a champ in making sure her fees are paid. See Forbes v. Schultz, 148 Wn. App. 273, 198 P.3d 1042 (2009).
One doubts Ms. Schultz is taking this case on a contingency. There are problems with the case: She may not have properly pled the consumer Protection Act claim. There is no real estate transaction involved in the facts of the case unless a membership in a club which owns real estate is a real estate transaction which it probably is not. And, there is no state gender discrimination claim because state law excludes private clubs from application of the state discrimination act (RCW 49.60).
That is to say, there is probably no big money involved and the claims are weak. So, Ms. Schultz is probably working by the hour –more than likely $250 and up (just a guess).
The Spokane Country Club is ready for some changes. This case will have an impact and will encourage the changes. The changes will probably be part of a settlement. That would be a good thing. Let us all face it, there is and can be no distinction, public, private or otherwise between men and women including transgender men and women.
The case should be interesting to watch.