Source: http://courts.mrsc.org/appellate/065wnapp/065wnapp0093.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 06:43:48+00:00

Document:
BARBARA A. CARLE, Respondent, v. MCCHORD CREDIT UNION, Appellant.
 Evidence – Burden of Production – What Constitutes – Test. Evidence is sufficient to take the case to the jury if the claimant meets the burden of production. Whether the burden of production has been met is an issue for the trial court, which considers the evidence and the reasonable inferences therefrom most favorably toward the claimant. The burden of production is met when the claimant produces evidence sufficient to support a finding of each element of the claim.
 Civil Rights – Age Discrimination – Discharge From Employment – Shifting Burdens of Production – Initial Burden on Plaintiff. In an action claiming age discrimination in a discharge from employment, the plaintiff has the initial burden of producing evidence sufficient to support findings that the plaintiff (1) was between 40 and 70 years old and (2) was doing satisfactory work (3) when discharged and that (4) the replacement worker was younger than the plaintiff. Satisfying this standard creates a rebuttable presumption of discrimination.
 Civil Rights – Age Discrimination – Discharge From Employment – Shifting Burdens of Production – Burden on Employer. Once a discharged employee in an action claiming age discrimination has met the initial burden of production, the employer has the burden of producing or adopting evidence sufficient to support a finding that the plaintiff was discharged for a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason. An employer which fails to meet this burden is liable as a matter of law.
 Civil Rights – Age Discrimination – Discharge From Employment – Shifting Burdens of Production – Second Burden on Plaintiff. Once a discharged employee who claims age discrimination has met the initial burden of production and the employer has responded by meeting its burden of producing evidence of a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the discharge, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to produce or adopt evidence sufficient to support a finding that the employer's alleged reason for the discharge is a pretext. This burden can be satisfied directly or indirectly by showing that the employer's proffered explanation is unworthy of credence. If this burden is met, the case goes to the trier of fact.
 Civil Rights – Law Against Discrimination – Definition of "Discrimination" – Alteration by Contract. What constitutes discrimination is a matter of public policy established by the Legislature. Parties are not free to alter the definition of "discrimination" by contract.
 Trial – Instructions – Proposed Instructions – Evidentiary Support. A jury should not be instructed on an issue of fact not presented by the evidence.
 Trial – Instructions – Proposed Instructions – Repetitive Instructions – Negative Restatement. An instruction that restates negatively that which has already been stated positively in an instruction is cumulative and need not be given.
 Jury – Selection – Challenge for Cause – Timeliness – After Questioning Other Jurors – Discretion of Court. A trial court has discretion to consider a challenge of a juror for cause made after the party passed the juror for cause, questioned other prospective jurors, and exercised peremptory challenges.
 Jury – Selection – Challenge for Cause – Bias – Implied Bias – "Interest" in Action – Discretion of Court. Whether a prospective juror is impliedly biased based on an "interest" in the action within the meaning of RCW 4.44.180(4) is a decision within the trial court's discretion.
 Jury – Selection – Challenge for Cause – Bias – Reasonable Suspicion. A trial court does not err by exercising its discretion in favor of honoring a challenge of a prospective juror for cause when the court reasonably suspects that circumstances outside the evidence may create bias or an appearance of bias on the part of the challenged juror.
 Evidence – Rebuttal Evidence – Discretion of Court. Whether to permit rebuttal evidence is a decision within the trial court's discretion.
 Civil Rights – Law Against Discrimination – Attorney Fees – Segregation of Claims – Discretion of Court. A trial court's segregation of attorney fees incurred in a discrimination claim for which attorney fees are recoverable under RCW 49.60 from attorney fees incurred in other claims for which attorney fees are not recoverable is reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard.
 Courts – Judicial Discretion – Abuse – What Constitutes – In General. A trial court's discretion is abused only if no reasonable person would have taken the trial court's view.
Nature of Action: A discharged employee sought damages from her former employer under seven separate theories.
Superior Court: After a partial summary judgment was granted dismissing five of the claims, the Superior Court for Pierce County, No. 88-2-07602-8, Bruce Cohoe, J., on October 20, 1989, entered a judgment on a verdict in favor of the employee for age discrimination and negligent infliction of mental distress.
Court of Appeals: Holding that there was sufficient evidence of age discrimination to establish the claim, that the trial court had properly refused certain proposed instructions, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorney fees and in considering and granting a tardy challenge of a juror for cause, and that expert rebuttal testimony was admissible, the court affirms the judgment.
Gilbert M. Stratton, Jacquelyn M. Aufderheide, and Eisenhower, Carlson, Newlands, Reha, Henriot & Quinn; Andrew R. Gala and Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, for appellant.
Patricia C. Fetterly and Davies Pearson, P.C., for respondent.
MORGAN, A.C.J. – McChord Credit Union discharged Barbara Carle from employment. She sued and obtained a jury verdict based on findings of age discrimination and negligent infliction of mental distress. McChord appeals; we affirm.
In 1981, McChord hired Carle to be the branch manager of its Lakewood office. She was hired as an at-will employee.
A satisfactory consumer credit report must be maintained by all employees of the credit union. The credit union may periodically request written authorization to conduct a consumer credit report to verify an employee's financial status meets employment standards.
An unfavorable credit report may result in counseling to include transfer to another position, required consumer credit counseling, or further disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment.
Employees of the credit union are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of financial responsibility and integrity in the management of their personal accounts at McChord Credit Union.
In late 1987, McChord reorganized and greatly expanded its Lakewood office. The new office was staffed by its president and five vice-presidents. The reorganization resulted in the elimination of only one job, but it was Carle's branch manager position.
Notwithstanding the elimination of Carle's job, McChord's president assured her that she was doing high quality work and could remain with the credit union in another capacity. Thus, she commenced work as a new accounts supervisor on March 22, 1988. The salary range for branch manager had been $2,240 to $3,360 per month; the salary range for new accounts supervisor was $1,588 to $2,375 per month.
A month or so after Carle started work in the new job, McChord began to investigate her personal finances. In early June, it alleged that she was in violation of its financial policy for employees, and on June 10, 1988, it terminated her employment.
«1» The pension account became 100 percent vested after 10 years of service, but was only 70 percent vested when Carle was fired. In 1989, the pension plan was changed so that 100 percent vesting occurred after 6 years of service.
She was replaced by a person 31 years old with 5 years' experience. Her salary as new accounts supervisor had been $2,352 per month; the new employee's salary was $1,650 per month.
Carle sued, alleging seven causes of action. Before trial, five were dismissed by an order granting partial summary judgment. The other two asserted age discrimination and negligent infliction of mental distress. At the conclusion of trial, the jury returned verdicts of $100,000 for age discrimination and $18,000 for negligent infliction of mental distress. The trial court later awarded Carle reasonable attorney's fees of $47,515 and costs of $6,749.29, but these amounts were only a portion of what she sought.
«2» In its second assignment of error, McChord also says that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of negligent infliction of mental distress. However, it presents no argument or authority in support of that assignment, and thus we do not consider it. Seattle Sch. Dist. 1 v. State, 90 Wn.2d 476, 496, 585 P.2d 71 (1978); Lassila v. Wenatchee, 89 Wn.2d 804, 809, 576 P.2d 54 (1978).
that the trial court incorrectly instructed the jury; that the trial court should not have allowed Carle to tardily challenge a juror for cause; and that the trial court should not have allowed Carle to call a certain expert witness in the rebuttal phase of her case. Carle cross-appeals on the ground that the trial court improperly reduced her claim for attorney's fees and costs.
«3» McChord also argues that the trial court erred by denying its motion for dismissal made at the close of the plaintiff's case in chief. Any error concerning that motion, however, was waived when McChord elected to present evidence on its own behalf. See Goodman v. Bethel Sch. Dist. 403, 84 Wn.2d 120, 123, 524 P.2d 918 (1974); Heinz v. Blagen Timber Co., 71 Wn.2d 728, 730, 431 P.2d 173 (1967); Wines v. Engineers Ltd. Pipeline Co., 51 Wn.2d 487, 498, 319 P.2d 563 (1957).
«4» Here, it is undisputed that plaintiff bore the burden of persuading the jury by a preponderance of evidence. Grimwood v. University of Puget Sound, Inc., 110 Wn.2d at 365.
In re C.B., 61 Wn. App. at 282.
To question the sufficiency of evidence is to question whether the burden of production has been met. The burden of production is met when the plaintiff produces evidence sufficient to support a finding of each element of the cause of action. In re C.B., 61 Wn. App. at 285-86. When it is met, it is said that the evidence is "sufficient" or "substantial". In re C.B., 61 Wn. App. at 286.
«5» We have no occasion to consider employment discrimination cases based on direct evidence of discrimination, on a statistical pattern of discrimination, or on any other evidence not patterned after McDonnell Douglas. See Stork v. International Bazaar, Inc., 54 Wn. App. 274, 278, 774 P.2d 22 (1989) (discussing federal cases not patterned on McDonnell Douglas); Hatfield v. Columbia Fed. Sav. Bank, 57 Wn. App. 876, 881-83, 790 P.2d 1258 (1990) (evidence raised inference of discriminatory intent regardless of whether fourth McDonnell Douglas element was met).
the burden of production is divided into three facets, two resting on plaintiff and one on defendant. This uncommon allocation of the burden recognizes that the employer is usually the one who knows why employment was terminated and "helps an alleged victim of discrimination identify the reasons he must show did not in fact lead to his discharge or rejection . . .." Grimwood v. University of Puget Sound, Inc., 110 Wn.2d at 362 (quoting Loeb v. Textron, Inc., 600 F.2d 1003, 1014-15 (1st Cir. 1979)).
The first facet of the burden of production must be met by plaintiff in his or her case in chief. It requires that plaintiff produce evidence sufficient to support findings (1) that he or she was discharged from employment; (2) that at the time of discharge he or she was an employee between 40 and 70 years of age; (3) that at the time of discharge he or she was doing satisfactory work; and (4) that he or she was replaced by a younger person. Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 362; Brady v. Daily World, 105 Wn.2d 770, 776, 718 P.2d 785 (1986); Roberts v. ARCO, 88 Wn.2d 887, 568 P.2d 764 (1977). Because they are derived from McDonnell Douglas, these four elements will be referred to as the McDonnell Douglas elements.
«6» Translated into negative terms, the effect of proving the McDonnell Douglas elements is to prevent the defendant from obtaining an order of dismissal at the end of plaintiff's case, notwithstanding that the evidence does not yet show why the discharge occurred. See Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 362-63 (quoting Loeb v. Textron, Inc., supra).
«7» Though not required to do so, the Washington Supreme Court has generally looked to federal cases for guidance when ruling upon discrimination claims. Douchette v. Bethel Sch. Dist. 403, 117 Wn.2d 805, 811, 818 P.2d 1362 (1991); Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 361-62; Stork, 54 Wn. App. at 277-78. But see Allison v. Housing Auth., 118 Wn.2d 79, 91, 821 P.2d 34 (1991).
In all civil actions and proceedings . . . , a presumption imposes on the party against whom it is directed the burden of going forward with evidence to rebut or meet the presumption, but does not shift to such party the burden of proof in the sense of the risk of nonpersuasion, which remains throughout the trial upon the party on whom it was originally cast.
(Citation omitted.) Texas Dep't of Comm'ty Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 254 n.7, 67 L. Ed. 2d 207, 101 S. Ct. 1089 (1981).
«9» Each party is entitled to the benefit of evidence produced by the other. Provins v. Bevis, 70 Wn.2d 131, 136-37, 422 P.2d 505 (1967); Hector v. Martin, 51 Wn.2d 707, 710, 321 P.2d 555 (1958); Whitchurch v. McBride, 63 Wn. App. 272, 275, 818 P.2d 622 (1991); WPI 1.02. Thus, if plaintiff in his or her case in chief goes beyond the four McDonnell Douglas elements and introduces evidence tending to show a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the discharge, defendant is entitled to the benefit of that evidence as the court decides whether the second facet of the burden of production has been met.
evidence sufficient to support a finding that plaintiff was discharged for a nondiscriminatory reason. Texas Dep't of Comm'ty Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. at 255. If defendant fails to do that, the record will show (1) the four McDonnell Douglas elements and (2) defendant's failure to advance a legitimate reason for its action after being afforded an opportunity to do so. On such a record, there is no genuine issue of fact, Texas Dep't of Comm'ty Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. at 254, and plaintiff will be entitled to an order establishing liability as a matter of law. Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 363 (quoting Loeb v. Textron, Inc., 600 F.2d at 1014-15), 364; Burdine, 450 U.S. at 254; Lewis v. Doll, 53 Wn. App. 203, 211-12, 765 P.2d 1341, review denied, 112 Wn.2d 1027 (1989). However, if defendant produces or adopts evidence of a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason, the presumption raised by the McDonnell Douglas elements is rebutted, Burdine, 450 U.S. at 255, and plaintiff "must then have an opportunity" to prove that the defendant's reason is a pretext. Burdine, 450 U.S. at 253, 256, 257.
«10» See preceding footnote. If any evidence produced in the first or second stages of the case tends to prove that the defendant's explanation is a pretext, plaintiff is entitled to its benefit at this third stage of the case.
«11» The reasoning of Grimwood v. University of Puget Sound, Inc., supra, confirms the existence of the third facet of the burden of production. In Grimwood, the Supreme Court assumed that plaintiff had produced evidence sufficient to support the McDonnell Douglas elements. 110 Wn.2d at 364. Further, it held that defendant had met its burden of production by articulating a nondiscriminatory reason for termination. 110 Wn.2d at 364. Nonetheless, it dismissed plaintiff's case. The only logically available conclusion is that a plaintiff who would prove a discrimination case patterned after McDonnell Douglas must produce not only evidence sufficient to support each McDonnell Douglas element, but also evidence sufficient to support an inference of pretext.
Once the employer fulfills his burden of production, to create a genuine issue of material fact the plaintiff must satisfy his ultimate burden of persuasion and show that the employer's articulated reasons are a mere pretext for what, in fact, is a discriminatory purpose.
(Italics ours.) 110 Wn.2d at 364.
An issue of fact is created by satisfying the burden of production. See deLisle v. FMC Corp., 57 Wn. App. 79, 84, 786 P.2d 839, review denied, 114 Wn.2d 1026 (1990). An issue of fact is resolved by satisfying the burden of persuasion. Thus, the quoted language appears to contain an "infelicitous word choice", Jones, 60 Wn. App. at 371-73, and we read it as simultaneously expressing two propositions. First, plaintiff makes a case sufficient for submission to the jury (and satisfies the burden of production) only if in the rebuttal phase of the case he or she produces or adopts evidence sufficient to support a finding of pretext.Second, plaintiff always retains the ultimate burden of persuasion. The latter proposition is expressed elsewhere in Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 363 (quoting Loeb, 600 F.2d at 1014-15), and accords with the United States Supreme Court's principal holding in Burdine, 450 U.S. at 259-60. As to the former proposition, see Jones v. Kitsap Cy. Sanitary Landfill, Inc., supra; deLisle v. FMC Corp., supra.
110 Wn.2d at 364; Jones, 60 Wn. App. at 371; Burdine, 450 U.S. at 256 (unclear whether court was referring to burden of production or persuasion). This can be done directly, or "indirectly by showing that the employer's proffered explanation is unworthy of credence." See Burdine, 450 U.S. at 256; Bay v. Times Mirror Magazines, Inc., 936 F.2d 112, 116 (2d Cir. 1991). If the third facet is not met, defendant is entitled to dismissal as a matter of law. Grimwood, 110 Wn.2d at 365; Hibbert v. Centennial Villas, Inc., 56 Wn. App. 889, 894, 786 P.2d 309 (1990). If the third facet is met, the case involves – for the first time – a reasonable inference of discrimination. Jones, 60 Wn. App. at 373.
When all three facets of the burden of production have been met, the case must be submitted to the jury. Plaintiff having met the first and third facets, the record will necessarily contain evidence sufficient to support findings of each McDonnell Douglas element, plus pretext. Jones, 60 Wn. App. at 373 (racial discrimination); see deLisle v. FMC Corp., 57 Wn. App. 79, 84-86, 786 P.2d 839 (age discrimination), review denied, 114 Wn.2d 1026 (1990). Defendant having met the second facet, the record will contain evidence sufficient to support an inference that the discharge was due to a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason. Thus, the record will contain reasonable but competing inferences of both discrimination and nondiscrimination, and it is the jury's task to choose between such inferences. United States v. Stanley, 928 F.2d 575, 577 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 116 L. Ed. 2d 108, 112 S. Ct. 141 (1991).
«12» In its opening brief at page 19, McChord states, "[W]e can assume that Carle made out a prima facie case."
In her case in chief, she produced evidence sufficient to support findings that she was discharged from employment, that she was 43 at the time, that she was doing satisfactory work, and that she was replaced by a younger person.
McChord met the second facet of the burden of production. It produced evidence sufficient to support an inference that it discharged Carle because it thought she was in violation of its financial policy for employees.
«13» McChord contends that the entries were "corrected" because after discharge she paid down the balances. At trial, however, Carle testified that she had the entries corrected by the credit reporting agency. Based on that testimony, the jury could have inferred that the entries were erroneous in the first instance.
On the date of discharge, Carle's debt level was arguably unremarkable. She owed $50,000 on a home mortgage and $5,000 to $7,000 on other consumer debt. McChord claimed that she had been past due on various loans, but Carle testified to the contrary and was supported in part by McChord's own records. When McChord calculated and compared her income and expenses, it included the mortgage payments she was making on the home she owned, but peculiarly omitted rental income she received from tenants occupying the same home. McChord claimed that Carle's Visa card was repeatedly overdue and over limit, but Carle testified that she never had overdue payments; that along with 15 to 20 other employees, she was told on one occasion that she was over limit and would have to bring down her balance; that she did so; and that her Visa card was current on June 10, 1988. McChord claimed that Carle had not paid her real estate taxes on time in 1988, but the evidence showed those taxes were paid only 5 days late.
Cumulated, this evidence was sufficient to support a reasonable inference of pretext and to meet the third facet of the burden of production. See Jones, 60 Wn. App. at 373 (sufficient evidence of pretext); deLisle, 57 Wn. App. at 86 (sufficient evidence of discriminatory intent). Thus, there were reasonable inferences of both discrimination and nondiscrimination; the choice between those inferences was for the jury, Stanley, 928 F.2d at 577; and the trial judge did not err when he denied McChord's motion for directed verdict.
Just cause for termination is a fair and honest cause or reason, regulated by good faith on the part of the party exercising the power. Discharge for just cause is one based on facts (1) supported by substantial evidence, (2) reasonably believed by the employer to be true and (3) which are not for any arbitrary, capricious or illegal reason.
If you find that the plaintiff's discharge was based on facts (1) supported by substantial evidence, (2) reasonably believed by the employer to be true and (3) which are not for any arbitrary, capricious or illegal reason, whether or not you personally agree with the decision, you must find in favor [of] the defendant.
An employer has the right to discharge any employee for any non-discriminatory reason, with or without cause, in the absence of a contract for a specified period of time. The Court has determined, as a matter of law, that the plaintiff did not have a contract of employment.
If you find that the plaintiff's discharge was based on facts (1) supported by substantial evidence, (2) reasonably believed by the employer to be true, and (3) which are not for any arbitrary, capricious reason, whether or not you personally agree with the decision, you must find in favor of the defendant.
McChord's proposed supplemental instruction 2 was the same as number 1 except that it omitted clauses (1) and (3) in the second paragraph. Its proposed instruction 15 was also the same as number 1, except it omitted the second paragraph, substituted "lawful" for "nondiscriminatory" in the first paragraph, and contained some other differences not pertinent here.
It seems to make three arguments in support of the claim.
«15» Proposed instruction 20, supplemental instruction 1, and supplemental instruction 2.
which, according to McChord, would have prevented the jury from "second-guessing" the decision to terminate Carle's employment. The argument is based on Baldwin v. Sisters of Providence in Wash., Inc., 112 Wn.2d 127, 769 P.2d 298 (1989). In that case, an employee sued an employer for breach of contract, 112 Wn.2d at 130, and there was evidence that the employer and employee had formed a contract providing that the employee would be fired only for "just cause". 112 Wn.2d at 129. By entering into such a contract, the employer gave up its discretion to fire without a reason constituting just cause. It did not, however, give up its discretion to decide what facts would constitute just cause, or its discretion to decide on the presence of those facts in a particular case. 112 Wn.2d at 137-38. At trial, then, the jury's normal role as primary fact finder was radically altered. It was required to defer to the employer's exercise of its contractually retained fact-finding discretion, much as an appellate court defers to a trial court's findings of fact on appeal. It could not "second-guess" the employer in the sense of making its own findings of fact, but instead was required to find for the employer if the employer's decision was not arbitrary, capricious or illegal; was based on facts supported by substantial evidence; and was based on facts reasonably believed by the employer to be true. 112 Wn.2d at 139. The Supreme Court reversed because the jury instructions did not properly describe this sui generis role of the jury. See also Gaglidari v. Denny's Restaurants, Inc., 117 Wn.2d 426, 437-38, 815 P.2d 1362 (1991).
«16» Having ruled that the proposed Baldwin instructions do not apply, we need not discuss other defects they may have contained.
A jury should not be instructed on issues of fact not presented by the evidence. State v. King, 92 Wn.2d 541, 547, 599 P.2d 522 (1979); State v. Robinson, 76 Wn.2d 218, 219, 455 P.2d 945 (1969). At trial, Carle was not claiming that she was dischargeable only for cause. Thus, just cause was not an issue for the jury to decide, and the trial court did not err by refusing to define it.
«18» Proposed instruction 15; proposed supplemental instructions 1 and 2.
«19» As we have discussed at length, the McDonnell Douglas elements are part of the burden of production, and the burden of production is ordinarily for the judge. Whether they should be included in a jury instruction is not at issue here, and we express no opinion on that proposition.
«20» The propriety of this statement is not disputed on appeal.
For the court to have further instructed that McChord could not be found liable if it discharged Carle for a nondiscriminatory reason would have been to restate in negative form that which had already been stated positively, and the court did not err when it declined to do that.
During jury selection, the second person questioned was a Mr. Benson. He was a current member of McChord Federal Credit Union and kept a small amount of money there so that his membership would not be terminated. He had obtained two loans from McChord, one of which he was still repaying at the time of trial.
Carle initially passed Benson for cause, but after two more jurors had been questioned and the lunch recess taken, she challenged him for cause due to implied bias. McChord objected to the timeliness and the substance of the challenge, and Carle agreed that a ruling could be deferred until it appeared she would exhaust her peremptory challenges. The rest of the first 12 jurors were then questioned and passed for cause, Carle exercised two of her peremptory challenges, and the court adjourned for the day. As the first item of business the next morning, the court heard argument on and granted the challenge to Benson. McChord reiterates its arguments on appeal.
«21» McChord relies on Catarau v. Sunde & d'Evers Co., 188 Wash. 592, 596-97, 63 P.2d 365 (1936) and State v. Schmidt, 141 Wash. 660, 252 P. 118 (1927) for the proposition that Carle waived her challenge when she failed to make it in a timely fashion. In the first case, no challenge for cause was made at the trial level. In the second, the challenge was timely rather than tardy. Nothing in either case says that a trial court lacks discretion to consider a tardy challenge under appropriate circumstances. See Ottis, 61 Wn. App. at 760-61.
The trial court did choose to consider it, however, and that choice was within its discretion.
«22» In support of this conclusion, we note that RCW 4.44.180(4) specifically states that a prospective juror will not be deemed to have an interest in an action because he or she is "a member or citizen of the county or municipal corporation." By omission, this tends to imply that one may be found to have an interest if he or she is a member or stockholder of a private entity such as a credit union.
On August 9, 1989, McChord identified Richard Brandsma, president of Tacoma Telco Credit Union, as an expert witness who would testify about the need for employees of financial institutions to be financially responsible. McChord neglected to state the substance of Brandsma's testimony as required by CR 26(b)(5)(A)(i) and CR 26(e), but it agreed to make him available for deposition. Due to Brandsma's schedule, however, no deposition was held before trial commenced on September 5. Brandsma was finally deposed 6 days later and according to Carle, it was at that deposition that she first learned what Brandsma would testify about.
«23» At the time of trial, Carle was an employee of United Northwest Federal Credit Union.
McChord objected on grounds that Duffy was a "surprise witness" of whom it had not been notified. The trial court ruled that Duffy could testify, provided that McChord was given the opportunity to depose him first. Duffy's deposition was taken a few days after Brandsma's.
 McChord now argues that the trial court erred by allowing Duffy to testify. Whether to permit rebuttal evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court, Kremer v. Audette, 35 Wn. App. 643, 648, 668 P.2d 1315 (1983) (quoting State v. White, 74 Wn.2d 386, 394-95, 444 P.2d 661 (1968)), and error can be predicated only on an abuse of discretion. Here, McChord failed to make the substance of Brandsma's testimony known until September 11, 6 days into the trial. Carle immediately consulted with Duffy, who disagreed with Brandsma's opinions and was willing to testify. The very next day, Carle notified McChord and the court that she intended to offer Duffy to rebut Brandsma and would make him available for deposition. The trial court did not err when it ruled that Duffy could testify.
"The case started with multiple causes of action and was ultimately reduced down to two causes of action. Additionally, there was considerable trial time and briefing spent on the negligent infliction of emotional distress cause of action during the course of the trial, and I can only presume that there was similarly a considerable amount of discovery related to the same.
"It is my belief there is no precise method which can be employed to award attorney's fees. However, in the view of the multiple causes of action and the manner in which the case was tried, I am attributing 65% of the fees to the discrimination claim and I am thus, awarding attorney's fees in the amount of $47,515.00."
It awarded her reasonable attorney's fees of $47,515 and costs of $6,749.
[12, 13] When determining the amount of reasonable attorney's fees to be awarded in connection with an age discrimination claim, a trial court has discretion. Xieng v. Peoples Nat'l Bank, 63 Wn. App. 572, 586, 821 P.2d 520 (1991) (costs); Pannell v. Food Servs. of Am., 61 Wn. App. 418, 447, 810 P.2d 952, 815 P.2d 812 (1991) (costs), review denied, 118 Wn.2d 1008 (1992). Its exercise of that discretion will not be reversed absent abuse, Allard v. First Interstate Bank of Wash., N.A., 112 Wn.2d 145, 148, 768 P.2d 998, 773 P.2d 420 (1989); Xieng, 63 Wn. App. at 585, and discretion is abused only where no reasonable person would have taken the view adopted by the trial court. State v. Pederson, 44 Wn. App. 391, 396, 722 P.2d 127, review denied, 107 Wn.2d 1005 (1986). In this case, the manner in which the trial court segregated attorney's fees incurred on the age claim from attorney's fees incurred on other claims was reasonable, Gaglidari v. Denny's Restaurants, Inc., 117 Wn.2d 426, 450, 815 P.2d 1362 (1991), and there was no abuse of discretion.
Carle has substantially prevailed on this appeal. As a result, she is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in this court, except fees and costs attributable to her cross appeal. RCW 49.60.030(2); Xieng, 63 Wn. App. at 587; Pannell, 61 Wn. App. at 450.
«25» Just before oral argument, McChord made a motion on the merits. The motion was denied by one of the commissioners of this court. After oral argument, McChord moved for an order modifying the commissioner's ruling. The clerk returned that motion as untimely, and McChord then moved to modify the clerk's ruling as well as the commissioner's. We now grant the motion to modify the clerk's ruling but deny the motion to modify the commissioner's ruling. Our reasons for the denial are those expressed in this opinion.
ALEXANDER, J., and WORSWICK, J. Pro Tem., concur.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
sui generis
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.