Four months after a judge ordered arbitration of the claims of a woman who sued a Valley Village senior assisted living facility for $20 million, alleging she was wrongfully fired in 2023 because she declined to attend a company Christmas party due to her being a Jehovah’s Witness, the proceeding has yet to start due to defense inaction, the woman contends in new court papers.
Plaintiff Alicxa Manchan’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit against Glen Park Valley Village also alleges religious discrimination, retaliation, failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation and failure to accommodate religious belief and/or observance. On Thursday, Manchan’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Cindy Panuco asking that one the plaintiff’s two arbitrator picks, either Judge Daniel S. Buckley or Michael Latin, both retired Los Angeles Superior Court judges, be named the arbitrator.
“Despite the express language in the agreement requiring mutual selection of an arbitrator, defendants have refused to participate in the mutual selection process,” Manchan’s lawyers contend in their pleadings. “Because the agreement requires mutual selection, and because defendants have failed and refused to cooperate in that selection process, plaintiff now petitions the court to appoint an arbitrator.”
Given that Manchan has offered Buckley or Latin (Ret.), and Glen Park has allegedly made no recommendations, offered no one, the judge should appoint Latin or Buckley, but also in the alternative of making its own selection, according to Manchan’s attorneys’ court papers.
In the earlier ruling, Judge Rolf M. Treu, while temporarily managing the case, found that Manchan, 58, was bound by an “existing and enforceable agreement” to arbitrate any work-related disputes.
Manchan did not deny the agreement existed, but contended it was “unconscionable” because it was presented to her on a “take it or leave it basis” as a condition of employment and that she was not given a chance to negotiate or opt out.
According to the suit, Manchan was hired in November 2023 as a retirement counselor and her duties included traveling to various skilled nursing facilities and hospitals to generate leads, meeting with potential residents and obtaining referral sources.
The next month, the human resources department sent emails to all employees about the upcoming company Christmas party and the assistant executive director inquired of the plaintiff whether she would attend, according to the suit, which further states Manchan declined on religious grounds.
However, instead of accommodating Manchan, the assistant executive director told the plaintiff it was “going to look bad” if she did not attend the festivities and hinted the plaintiff could be fired if she decided not to go, the suit states.
The next day, the facility’s executive director accepted Manchan’s proposed compromise to perform in-person marketing duties in lieu of going to the party, the suit states. Nonetheless, while the party was under way an employee called Manchan to inquire of her whereabouts and the plaintiff reiterated her religious beliefs while explaining she was out marketing, the suit states.
However, the caller told Manchan that she should be at the party because the facility’s owner was there, the suit states.
“Once again, plaintiff was greatly disappointed in the intolerance of her religious beliefs,” the suit states.
Four days later, Manchan was asked by management to stay behind after a staff meeting about the importance of supporting company events and the plaintiff was told, “It’s been decided this is your last day,” the suit filed in June 2025 states.
Management told Manchan she was being terminated for a poor job performance even though that was never an issue before, according to the suit.
An arbitration status conference is scheduled for March 2, 2027.