Notable Successes

Desmarais LLP won a jury trial verdict for a pro bono client who had her service dog denied access at a hospital.
 
The client originally filed suit in 2021 against the hospital for violations of the Unruh Act, which is the California version of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Desmarais LLP took over the case shortly before trial in 2025. The client had not produced any documents or taken any depositions during fact discovery, but the Desmarais LLP team partially reopened discovery to secure depositions of the Hospital’s trial witnesses and to produce key records. The Desmarais LLP team also successfully opposed the hospital’s summary judgment motions and multiple motions to delay the trial.
 
Ultimately, the Desmarais LLP team won a three-day jury trial before Judge Chen in the Northern District of California. On October 17, 2025, the jury found that the hospital violated the Unruh act, and the jury also found that the hospital’s treatment of Desmarais LLP's client was negligent. All of the direct and cross examinations at trial were conducted by associate attorneys.
 
The Desmarais LLP team representing the pro bono client included Michael Rhodes, Kevin Gu, Emily Weber, Kurt Fredrickson, Connelley Huemmer, and Zen Lewis.
 

Kurt Fredrickson Ph.D.

Kevin Gu

Michael R. Rhodes

Emily N. Weber