Former Employee Trial Began Against San Francisco DA
A discrimination lawsuit against the district attorney's office reached trial after nearly a decade of legal proceedings.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Human Resources
Twanda Bailey has begun a trial in her racial discrimination lawsuit against the San Francisco District Attorney's office. The case centers on allegations of workplace harassment dating back to 2015.
Why it matters
The case is significant as it establishes that a single instance of a racial slur may be sufficient to support a workplace discrimination claim. This legal precedent follows a 2024 California Supreme Court decision that allowed the litigation to move forward.
The litigation involves a 14-year employment history that began to fracture in 2015. The trial proceedings are expected to conclude in less than two weeks.
The players
Twanda Bailey
She is a former employee of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office who served for 14 years.
Saras Larkin
She is identified as the individual who allegedly used a racial slur against the plaintiff.
California Supreme Court
This is the state's highest judicial body, which overturned a previous ruling to allow this case to proceed.
San Francisco District Attorney's Office
This is the local government agency currently serving as the defendant in the discrimination trial.
The details
Twanda Bailey testified that she experienced a hostile work environment, including an HR director who allegedly laughed at her and gave her daily unpleasant looks. The lawsuit was initiated after she received a negative performance evaluation in the summer of 2015.
Timeline
January 2015: Alleged use of a racial slur against Bailey.
April 2015: Bailey filed a complaint with the EEOC.
December 2015: Bailey filed the initial lawsuit.
2024: California Supreme Court allowed the case to proceed.
October 7, 2026: The trial began.
Market Landscape
This case highlights the evolving standards for workplace conduct litigation within municipal government offices. It demonstrates how high-level judicial decisions can fundamentally shift the viability of long-standing discrimination claims against public institutions.
Public employees may see increased scrutiny regarding workplace behavior and HR policy enforcement. The outcome of this trial could lead to new internal training mandates or shifts in how the city handles employee complaints.
The takeaway
Workplace discrimination claims often require years of legal effort before reaching a resolution in court. Employees who face such treatment should document incidents as they occur to support potential future claims.
Further reading
For more information on workplace legal standards, visit the Human Resources section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SFist - San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports.
