Jump To Navigation
Representative Cases

Representative Cases in LGBT Law

San Francisco LGBT Rights Law Firm

Transgendered Cases

Dolan Law Firm Obtains Settlement in Transgender Discrimination Case
Transgender woman and San Francisco resident Amber Yust settled her privacy and civil rights lawsuit with the San Francisco DMV with the help of The Dolan Law Firm and the Transgender Law Center. The Dolan Law Firm filed a lawsuit in December 2010 against the DMV, alleging violating of her rights under the California Information Practices Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act. Yust brought similar claims against the DMV employee, who voluntarily resigned from his position with the DMV shortly after the incident. In October 2010, a DMV employee, who had a known history of denying equal service to transgender customers, retained Yust's personal information through his employment at the DMV. The employee then used the information to send her materials condemning her transgender status, and calling for homosexuals to be "put to death." The matter resolved with the State of California for $40,000, and with the former DMV employee for $15,000. As a part of the settlement, the DMV agreed to work with the Transgender Law Center in an effort to incorporate transgender sensitivity into its ongoing employee training.

Employment Discrimination Cases

$2.5 million Settlement

Gender Identity Discrimination and Retaliation
Our client, a female employee of a Fortune 500 company, brought a claim against her employer stating that after she protested homophobic slurs and derogatory statements made by senior company executives in the workplace, she was stripped of all job responsibilities and slated for termination. The matter was resolved without the need for a trial.

$500,000 Settlement

Sexual Orientation Retaliatory Action and Wrongful Termination
When a male employee of a major energy company protested the sexual harassment of his female co-workers by his supervisors, he was fired. After The Dolan Law Firm took the case, the employee was reinstated, and received a financial award.

$300,000 Settlement

Gender Identity Discrimination/Retaliation
A lesbian employee of a high-tech company was not given equal promotional opportunities and was terminated on trumped-up charges by a homophobic supervisor. The Dolan Law Firm secured a settlement for her.

$220,00 Settlement

Sexual Orientation Harassment and Wrongful Termination
A San Francisco nurse was harassed for being gay. The supervisor trumped up false charges against him leading to his termination.

Housing Discrimination

$435,000 Settlement

Housing Discrimination
A San Francisco man with AIDS was denied an apartment because of his illness.

Equal Access to Goods and Services

$200,000 Settlement

Gender Identity Discrimination in Providing Medical Services
Charlene Hastings, a transgender woman, sought to have breast augmentation surgery done at Seton Hospital, a Catholic-affiliated hospital run by the Daughters of Charity. The hospital refused to provide her with breast augmentation surgery, indicating that they would not provide sex surgery for a transgender woman because "God made her a man." Ms. Hastings brought suit pursuant to the Unruh Act, which prohibits discrimination in the provision of goods, services, and contracting. This law requires that businesses treat all people equally regardless of their race, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, age, and transgender status. Following the filing of the lawsuit, Seton Hospital agreed to change its policy. The hospital also agreed to pay Ms. Hastings $200,000.

If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person under California or federal law, contact our San Francisco law office to schedule a free initial consultation.



Recent News

Governor Brown signs two historic transgender rights bills into law!

San Francisco DMV Settles Civil Rights Lawsuit With Transgender Woman: read more 

Dolan Law Firm files claim against the DMV after San Francisco DMV employee releases home address of transgender woman to fundamentalist church group >read more

BREAKING NEWS: The DMV employee named in the claim has resigned

CNN's HLN | ISSUES with Jane Velez-Mitchell: Interview with client, Amber Yust, and attorney, Christopher Dolan. A transgender female says she fears for her safety after receiving threatening mail from a California DMV worker. videos

LPGA votes to reverse its discriminatory policy >read more

The Dolan Law Firm files suit against the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) on behalf of transgendered woman Lana Lawless for refusing to allow Lana to compete as a professional.

Dolan Law Firm files suit on behalf of transgender female Charlene Hastings against Catholic Healthcare West for denying equal access to medical treatment. Hospital agrees to change its policies so as to provide equal healthcare services to transgender females and those female from birth.
Fox News

For more news please visit our News & Articles section

Our Team

Voted by their peers as Northern California Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, 2008. | » READ MORE

Northern California Super Lawyers