McDonald v. Superior Court

Opinion

TODD, J.

—We are presented with the question whether the court abused its discretion when it ordered all discovery disputes be heard by a private referee with the parties to split the fees equally. Because we conclude the court failed to properly consider the economic impact its order might have on a party claiming she was unable to pay the fees and continue with the litigation, we grant the petition.

Background

Kathy F. McDonald (McDonald) sued her former employer, Bechtel Construction Co. (Bechtel), for unlawful employment practices. McDonald moved to compel further responses to a…