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"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do."
– Potter Stewart

CW team honored as California Lawyers of the Year

May 2025

The Daily Journal announced that CW partners Kathleen Erskine and Roya Ladan received a 2025 California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) award, which is given to California-based legal teams that have made a major impact on society and the law.

 

Katy and Roya were recognized for their work securing a jury trial victory for a Los Angeles sheriff's captain, Jennifer Seetoo, in a gender discrimination and retaliation suit against Los Angeles County and the sheriff's department. At trial, they convinced the jury to render a verdict of $971,000 in favor of Ms. Seetoo. The judge also awarded CW $2.6 million in attorneys' fees.

 

Ms. Seetoo has served the county as a law enforcement officer for more than two decades, earning a reputation as a competent, trustworthy leader. However, at trial, CW presented evidence showing that former sheriff Alex Villanueva waged a long-ranging campaign to tarnish that reputation, blocked her promotion to captain, and falsely accused her of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an elected official. When Ms. Seetoo submitted a complaint after enduring months of discriminatory treatment, she was swiftly removed from her position at the station and transferred elsewhere.

 

"Jennifer Seetoo is far from the first person to take on Villanueva, but she is among a select few who have been able to publicly defeat him," Katy told the Daily Journal. "Although community leaders, journalists, whistleblowers, watchdogs, and law enforcement officials had made repeated attempts to expose Villanueva's behavior, rarely had his department ever been held accountable by law before this case's verdict was returned."

 

Roya added, "We hope this case will begin to bring about change within the sheriff’s department. Employees must be protected from retaliation when they make complaints against even the department’s highest-ranking members. We also hope that Ms. Seetoo's example gives women facing discrimination the courage to stand up for their rights against all odds."