Philadelphia, PA — In a protracted and hard-fought legal battle, Partner Andrew Kessler and Senior Counsel Sarah Connor of WSHB achieved a decisive victory on behalf of a non-profit mental health provider and its licensed professionals. The team successfully secured summary judgment against an aggressive pro se plaintiff, bringing years of contentious litigation to a close.
The plaintiff, a former employee and inactive California attorney, alleged that the non-profit wrongfully refused to verify clinical hours she claimed to have accrued during her employment—hours she asserted were necessary for professional licensure. She further claimed this refusal constituted discrimination based on age and national origin, while also alleging breach of contract, fraud, and inducement to accept employment through promises of licensure-related supervision.
WSHB’s defense team mounted a comprehensive and effective strategy. The firm first prevailed before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, both of which found no evidence of discrimination. In parallel, the plaintiff pursued litigation in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she aggressively pressed claims through extensive pleadings and discovery.
Throughout, WSHB consistently defended the integrity of the employment agreement—which contained no obligation to verify licensure hours—and vigorously advocated for the licensed professionals, who not only faced direct suit but also unwarranted ethics complaints. The Court ultimately agreed with WSHB’s arguments, holding that the plaintiff failed to substantiate her claims, and entered summary judgment in favor of the defendants.
Andrew Kessler commented: “This ruling is a tremendous validation of our clients’ integrity and the principled work of the professionals we were proud to defend. From the outset, these claims were unfounded and carried significant personal and professional consequences for our clients. Securing summary judgment not only ends this litigation, but also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly protect our clients from baseless accusations.”
This victory reflects WSHB’s deep bench strength in employment law, professional liability defense, and high-stakes litigation strategy, underscoring the firm’s reputation as a trusted advocate for employers and professionals navigating complex disputes.
