Birdwell ordered to pay $3.68 million in retaliation suit over alleged 'bro culture'

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.

The unanimous verdict includes $2.68 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages. Lindsay Knott v. Birdwell California! LLC, et al., 30-2022-01247207-CU-OE-CJC, (O.C. Super., Ct., filed Feb. 25, 2022)

Knott was represented by Mira Hashmall and Wenfeng (Kevin) Su of Miller Barondess, who secured the win after six days of testimony before Judge Gassia Apkarian.

The case centered on claims that Birdwell fostered a toxic "bro culture" that drove Knott to resign in 2021. She said male colleagues openly criticized her, ignored her directives, and undermined her via internal messaging. Hired in 2019 as the only woman on the seven-member leadership team, Knott brought experience from brands like O'Neill, Volcom, and PrAna, and was tasked with broadening Birdwell's appeal to women.

Court documents state that male employees--including Assistant Creative Director Ryan Baine--skipped meetings led by Knott but attended those run by male colleagues. They also used Slack to challenge her authority and issue improper demands. When Knott raised concerns, then-CEO Geoff Clawson admitted the behavior was unacceptable but took no action, instead telling her to "take control" herself.

The complaint describes escalating retaliation after Knott filed formal grievances. In November 2020, she was placed on involuntary leave during a third investigation--and was fired by HR just hours after being cleared.

Although Birdwell initially forced the dispute into arbitration, it failed to pay the required fees, allowing Knott to pursue the case in court under California law.

The surfwear brand, founded in 1961 by Carrie Birdwell Mann, was acquired in 2014 by Matt Jacobson, who describes himself as Facebook's eighth employee.

Birdwell was represented by Brent Douglas and Trevor Locko of Snell & Wilmer. The company has not said whether it will appeal the verdict.