SAN FRANCISCO — A California appeal court wiped out a defense verdict in an employment discrimination case against a Bakersfield lawyer Tuesday, saying the trial court should have admitted “me too” evidence of the lawyer’s alleged racial and gender bias.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal panel ruled that not allowing the jury to hear certain evidence — which painted a picture of a foul-mouthed lawyer who berated and harassed female support staff — was prejudicial to the plaintiff.