Serviam is pleased to announce that Partner Kayla Watson and Associate Isabel Cruz secured a unanimous defense verdict in a civil rights lawsuit against a California police department. The case sought $24.7 million in damages, all of which the jury rejected returning a verdict for the City and its officer on every cause of action. At trial, Plaintiff advanced a theory that the officer’s conduct constituted excessive force and sought substantial damages based on that characterization. The defense maintained that the officer’s actions must be evaluated under the totality of the circumstances, including the rapidly evolving nature of the encounter and the information available to the officer at the time. The evidence—including body-worn camera footage, witness testimony, and expert analysis—demonstrated that the officer’s response was measured, progressive, and consistent with training. The defense also challenged the scope and evidentiary support for Plaintiff’s claimed damages. Following deliberations, the jury rejected Plaintiff’s claims in their entirety, finding that the officer used reasonable, non-deadly force, and that neither he nor the City was liable on...
