A King County Superior Court jury has decided in favor of Linda O’Brien, a cancer survivor, who experienced discriminatory and retaliatory treatment by her former employer, an orthodontic and dental clinic with locations in Western Washington when they failed to accommodate her diagnosis and later wrongfully terminated her employment. Ms. O’Brien, who was represented by the law firm Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB), received $3,263,230 in total damages.

After a 40-year legal career litigating major product liability cases in the automotive industry, and a lifetime spent raising a family and pursuing unique interests, Seattle attorney Peter O’Neil learned he was on the autism spectrum. The revelation is the basis of his recently published memoir My So-Called Disorder: Autism, Exploding Trucks, and the Big Daddy of Rock and Roll. Releasing just days before National Autism Acceptance Month, O’Neil explores how autistic and neurodivergent individuals bring nuanced perspectives to the workplace and any human endeavor because of their identification, not despite.