Famed California Art School Faces Wrongful Termination Lawsuit from Estate of Former Otis College Director

The estate of former Otis College Director, Bruce W. Ferguson sued famed California art school, Otis College of Art and Design, alleging wrongful termination. Ferguson passed away in 2019 after amassing numerous notable career achievements during his lifetime.

About Former Otis College Director, Curator Bruce W. Ferguson:

In 1993, Ferguson founded the art space SITE Santa Fe, a destination in New Mexico, and organized parts of editions of the Venice Biennale, the Bienal de São Paulo, and the Biennale of Sydney. His final professional position was president of the Otis College of Art and Design. His time at the famed California art school ended only months before he died at age 73, but controversy abounds now that he is gone. 

The Former Director's Estate Files a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit:

Ferguson's sister, Anne Marie Ferguson, filed a lawsuit in the Western Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit alleges that the school forced Ferguson out of his position, discriminating against him due to his illness associated with his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. When filing, Anne Marie Ferguson listed the school as well as "Does 1 to 10" as defendants. The designation "Does 1 to 10" refers to various John or Jane Does that may be added to the suit as the case progresses.

Allegations Made in the Wrongful Termination Lawsuit:

Ferguson's sister claims that the famous art school rushed to fire him due to his disability and need for accommodations. According to the suit, the Otis College board's claims of poor performance were a fabricated "pretext" to justify firing Ferguson. One of Anne Marie Ferguson's attorneys said he's never seen…" an employee get a raise, a diagnosis of cancer, and then fired all within a matter of months."

Ferguson's History on the Job at Otis: 

Ferguson took the job as President at Otis in 2014 and was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. In early 2019, Ferguson privately disclosed his illness to Gail Buchalter, the chair of Otis's board. Last February, he advised Otis faculty of his diagnosis. A group of faculty members submitted a letter of "no confidence," citing low morale at the school and the need for transparency in leadership. (The former director's estate regards this letter as the pretext the school used to justify Ferguson's dismissal). Last March, Ferguson was preparing to undergo chemotherapy when he was placed on administrative leave. According to the suit, one board member told him he was "axed."

The Estate Claims Otis Violated Employment Law:

According to the estate's attorneys, the school's actions violate the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which protects workers from discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or disability, as well as the American's with Disabilities Act. In addition to discriminating against Ferguson due to his diagnosis and perceived disability, the estate alleges retaliation.

If you have questions about discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination in California workplaces, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in any one of various law firm offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.