Nov. 6, 2025
Veteran deputy public defender wins $700,000 age bias verdict
A jury found Michael H. Sklar was denied promotion due to age discrimination. His case has emboldened other deputies to bring similar suits alleging bias based on age, race, and disability.
Michael H. Sklar is a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles County public defender's office. Accomplished at capital defense work, he was assigned the most serious and high-profile cases and honored with the office's lifetime achievement award.
In 2018, a new public defender, Ricardo D. Garcia, took charge. Despite top scores on qualifying exams, Sklar, then 59, was repeatedly passed over for promotion to head deputy--and told he was part of the "old office" and tha...
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