LOS ANGELES : Judge Sides With Fired Press Club Board Members

A judge has ruled that a dozen board members of the Greater Los Angeles Press Club fired by the club president for being “non-journalists” must be returned to their posts--at least for now.

Superior Court Judge Robert H. O’Brien ordered squabbling club leaders to more closely follow the 48-year-old organization’s bylaws next time they try to reduce the size of its board or change the voting status of members.

But O’Brien declined to define the difference between “journalists” and “non-journalists”--the key issue.

Club President Dusty Brandel, a Glendale newspaper advertising saleswoman and sports writer, fired public relations people from the 420-member group’s board in July. After that, the fired directors formed their own board and attempted to fire Brandel.

In Wednesday’s ruling, O’Brien ordered both sides to work together. That may take some doing, the two sides indicated Thursday.

“There may be one or two more skirmishes, but I think they will be forced by the judge to sit down and negotiate,” said Eric Troff, lawyer for those fired by Brandel. Replied Brandel’s lawyer, Kate Neiswender: “I think the judge thinks we’re all adults. I think the judge gives us too much credit.”