Shishido Taren Goldsworthy, PLLC
A Civil Rights Law Firm
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Gratton v. UPS Race Retaliation Case

Shishido Taren PLLC prosecutes claims of discrimination and retaliation in housing based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability (Fair Housing). This includes assisting with reasonable accommodation and modification requests, and responding to unlawful denials of RAs and RMs. 

We also hold cities, municipalities, the state, and government officials including police, responsible for civil rights and constitutional violations such as police misconduct, violence, and brutality.

Shishido Taren Goldsworthy co-counseled with California firm Collier Socks to obtain record-setting $238 Million on behalf of wrongfully terminated black UPS driver

A unanimous verdict was filed September 16, 2024 following a federal jury trial in Yakima, Washington, awarding $237.6 million in favor of former UPS driver Tahvio Gratton in a landmark race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.

Gratton, a former high school track star in Washington and proud father of three, began working for UPS in Seattle as a package car driver in 2016. After transferring to the Yakima facility, he raised concerns about ongoing racial harassment and discrimination from management, who failed to investigate his grievances and, instead retaliated against Mr. Gratton by making his job more difficult. The retaliation escalated when a supervisor falsely accused Mr. Gratton of misconduct. UPS’s Regional Management rushed to terminate Gratton for what it falsely called “unprovoked assault.” Through his lawsuit, Mr. Gratton sought to clear his name.

Gratton’s legal team pursued the case under 42 U.S.C. §1981, a federal statute that allows for uncapped punitive damages in race discrimination and retaliation cases. The jury awarded $39.6 million for emotional harm and $198 million in punitive damages against UPS.

The case, Gratton v. UPS, was filed and litigated by Seattle attorneys Robin J. Shishido and Rick E. Goldsworthy of Shishido Taren Goldsworthy PLLC in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Closer to trial, the team was joined by Dustin Collier and Drew Teti of Collier Socks, LLP, a California firm experienced in high-value employment trials, with Dustin Collier serving as lead trial counsel. The case went to trial before Judge Thomas Rice.

The Jury Verdict Form and Complaint for Damages for the case can be viewed here:

Shishido Taren Goldsworthy PLLC is a Seattle-based law firm specializing in plaintiff-side employment litigation, and high-stakes cases involving corporate misconduct.