The plaintiffs in a recent court filing have brought forward serious allegations against a prominent mental health services provider, claiming systemic discrimination and wage violations. On November 20, 2025, Clarissa Harwell and five other female former employees filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Pacific Clinics. The plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to sex discrimination and various labor law violations during their employment.
The lawsuit accuses Pacific Clinics of failing to pay overtime wages, minimum wages, and not providing mandated rest and meal periods as required by California labor laws. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs worked in dual roles as salaried employees and hourly “On-Call” consultants but were not compensated for all hours worked or at appropriate overtime rates. The complaint details how management allegedly instructed them to underreport hours worked, leading to significant financial losses for the plaintiffs. For instance, Harwell claims she was only paid for part of her “On-Call” hours despite working extensive shifts beyond her regular duties.
In addition to wage-related grievances, the plaintiffs argue that they faced sex discrimination as women within the organization. They claim that their male counterparts were not subjected to similar treatment regarding pay discrepancies and workload expectations. The lawsuit further alleges wrongful termination in retaliation for raising concerns about these issues with management.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for unpaid wages, penalties for inaccurate wage statements, waiting time penalties due to delayed final payments upon termination, and compensation for emotional distress caused by discriminatory practices. They also demand a jury trial to address these grievances comprehensively.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Matthew S. Da Vega and Matthew H. Fisher from Da Vega Fisher Mechtenberg LLP. The case is being overseen by Judge L. Ayala under Case #25CV480453.
Source: 25CV480453_Clarissa_Harwell_v_Pacific_Clinics_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
