SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Wednesday let stand a decision reinstating a case against a Bakersfield lawyer — a ruling some employment lawyers say expands the use of “me too” evidence in discrimination and harassment cases.

Lorraine Pantoja, who worked for attorney Thomas Anton at his law firm in 2002, alleged that Anton touched and slapped her buttocks, referred to employees as “my Mexicans,” and called her a “stupid bitch” as he fired her.