In May of 2008, Andy Kabat took to trial an age discrimination case on behalf of Lee-Ann Spacek against Realty One, Inc. d/b/a Realty One Real Living, Real Living, Inc., and its president. Ms. Spacek, 57, was an executive in the Defendants’ relocation department. Despite being an excellent performer, Ms. Spacek was terminated and replaced with a 29 year-old employee. Defendants claimed that Ms. Spacek’s termination was part of a legitimate reduction-in-force.
On May 28, 2008, a Cuyahoga County jury returned a verdict in favor of Ms. Spacek in the amount of $1.85 million plus her attorney’s fees. Of the $1.85 million verdict, $700,000 represents a punitive damage award against the Defendants.