The New York State court system recently emerged victorious in a litigation concerning alleged pay discrimination involving court interpreters. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed the case, citing the plaintiffs’ failure to present concrete statistical evidence concerning the demographics of courtroom personnel. For further details, you can access the original article.
The legal dispute hinged on the plaintiffs’ inability to substantiate claims that the New York Unified Court System’s compensation practices breached the Equal Protection Clause. The interpreters had argued that they were unfairly underpaid compared to state court reporters, a group they claimed was predominantly white. Nevertheless, the court labeled the allegation as “vague and conclusory.”
Crucially, the court found that interpreters and court reporters held roles that were not similarly situated, undermining the basis for any direct comparison in pay. The Second Circuit’s summary order reinforced that without substantial demographic data or clearer evidence of inconsistent pay practices, the case could not move forward. The summary order is available for review here.