May 23, 2025
Birdwell ordered to pay $3.68 million in retaliation suit over alleged 'bro culture'
A former executive claimed the iconic surfwear brand fostered a toxic, male-dominated culture and retaliated when she spoke out. Birdwell initially forced arbitration but failed to pay required fees, allowing her to bring the case to court under California law.
A jury has ordered surfwear company Birdwell California LLC to pay $3.68 million to a former executive who accused the brand of fostering a toxic "bro culture" and retaliating against her for speaking out.
The verdict, delivered May 19 in Orange County Superior Court, found the company acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, awarding both compensatory and punitive damages to plaintiff Lindsay Knott, the only woman on Birdwell's leadership team during her tenure.
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