SAN FRANCISCO — A trial judge in Los Angeles slapped Bingham McCutchen with sanctions last week, finding that it had dragged its feet in a discovery tussle with a former associate who says the firm failed to accommodate her rare sleep disorder.

Superior Court Judge Mel Red Recana ordered Bingham to pay $2,430 to Hartwell Harris, who sued the firm in 2011 for employment discrimination, retaliation and defamation.