Civil Rights

Sean Keveney Appointed as FDA Chief Counsel Amid Regulatory Reforms

Pieter Gunst04 mins

On August 4, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appointed Sean Keveney as its new Chief Counsel, entrusting him with the oversight of all legal matters at the agency. ([fda.gov](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-names-top-hhs-lawyer-chief-counsel?utm_source=openai)) Prior to this appointment, Keveney served as Acting General Counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he led the…

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Supreme Court Dynamics: The Persistent Two-Bloc Division Over 3-3-3 Hypothesis

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The notion of a 3-3-3 Supreme Court, suggesting three ideological blocs of justices, has gained attention in recent years. This model links three conservative justices (Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch), three liberals (Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson), and three supposed “institutionalists” (Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Brett Kavanaugh,…

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Supreme Court to Assess Potential Limitations on Voting Rights Act Remedies, Sparking Nationwide Debate on Race and Electoral Fairness

Pieter Gunst03 mins

“`html The United States Supreme Court is set to consider a significant challenge to the remedies available under the Voting Rights Act, a case which could reshape the role of race in judicial decisions aimed at addressing minority under-representation in electoral processes. This decision follows a series of legal debates questioning the extent to which…

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Key U.S. Circuit Court Rulings in 2025 Impacting Corporate and Legal Landscapes

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The first half of 2025 has delivered a tapestry of notable judicial decisions and procedural developments across the U.S. circuit courts. These decisions highlight evolving legal landscapes that major corporations and law firms are keenly observing. A prominent attraction in August features an intense legal battle between Edible Arrangements and 1-800-Flowers, with significant attorney fees…

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First Circuit Courthouse Poised to Uphold Birthright Citizenship Amid Constitutional Debate

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The First Circuit Court of Appeals appears poised to affirm that children born on U.S. soil to unauthorized immigrants are indeed citizens, referencing the 14th Amendment. During Friday’s hearing, the panel addressed the Trump administration’s arguments against birthright citizenship, delving into historical legal precedents that support this constitutional guarantee. The case revolves around the interpretation…

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Supreme Court Restricts Nationwide Injunctions: Implications for Section 1983 and Civil Rights Litigation

Pieter Gunst05 mins

The recent Supreme Court decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc. has significantly curtailed the issuance of nationwide injunctions by federal district courts. This ruling has profound implications for the enforcement of federal laws, particularly through 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Section 1983), a statute that allows individuals to sue state officials for violations of constitutional rights….

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Eric Tung’s Judicial Philosophy and Commitment to Precedent Explored in Ninth Circuit Confirmation Hearing

Pieter Gunst03 mins

During a recent confirmation hearing, Eric Tung, nominated by President Donald Trump for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, was questioned about his legal philosophy and views on contentious issues such as same-sex marriage. Tung, who has previously expressed support for originalism, emphasized his commitment to honoring Supreme Court precedent if confirmed as a circuit…

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UCLA’s Handling of Antisemitism Faces Federal Scrutiny Amid Growing Concerns

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Trump administration raised concerns about how the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) managed its Jewish students’ safety, following allegations of antisemitic activities on campus. This development emerged amid heightened scrutiny of how universities address discrimination and the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. In a significant move, the Department of Education opened an…

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Federal Civil Rights Investigations Launched into Duke University’s Admissions Practices

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have launched simultaneous civil rights investigations into Duke University. These investigations focus on allegations that Duke’s admissions and selection processes may have unlawfully incorporated race-based criteria, potentially breaching federal anti-discrimination laws detailing the issue. At the center of the probes is the accusation that the…

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Los Angeles Prosecutor’s Directive Sparks Debate on Evidence Standards and Political Influence

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A recent directive from a prosecutor in Los Angeles, appointed during the Trump administration, has sparked controversy and concern among legal professionals and observers. Nathan Hochman, tasked with bringing cases deemed lacking sufficient evidence, has drawn criticism from his staff who argue that the actions could lead to wrongful prosecutions and undermine public trust in…

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Columbia University Agrees to $220 Million Settlement Over Federal Anti-Semitism Investigation

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Columbia University has reached a significant settlement agreement with the U.S. government, involving payments totaling $220 million. This move comes in light of a federal investigation into alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, centering on claims of antisemitism on the university’s campus. As outlined in a recent statement, $200…

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Columbia University Settles EEOC Antisemitism Case for Record $165,000, Enacts New Anti-Discrimination Measures

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a landmark agreement, Columbia University has reached a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of antisemitism, marking the largest such settlement in the past two decades. The university has agreed to pay $165,000 to resolve accusations that it maintained a hostile work environment for Jewish employees. This decision underscores…

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California’s Outgoing Solicitor General Michael Mongan Reflects on Landmark Legal Tenure

Pieter Gunst03 mins

After an impactful six-year tenure, California’s Solicitor General, Michael Mongan, is reflecting on what he describes as a ‘dream job’. [Mongan](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/california-solicitor-general-reflects-on-6-years-of-dream-job?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=BUNW&utm_campaign=00000198-38b1-d41d-abba-7ebba6990000), who became the state’s top appellate lawyer in 2016, has steered a number of significant cases through the courts during his time in office. Mongan highlights several landmark decisions in which he played a…

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Massachusetts Judge Allows Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit Against ezCater to Proceed

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Massachusetts judge has allowed various discrimination allegations against Boston-based ezCater to proceed, following claims from former employees. These employees allege they experienced discrimination based on gender, race, and pregnancy. Furthermore, they claim retaliation occurred after they raised these concerns. The decision permits the lawsuit to move forward, spotlighting significant issues within workplace culture and…

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U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Ruling Limiting Enforcement of Voting Rights Act in Midwestern States

Pieter Gunst05 mins

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily halted a ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that would have significantly limited the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in seven Midwestern states. This decision maintains the ability of private individuals and groups to challenge voting laws they allege are discriminatory. The case originated in…

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Supreme Court Pauses Ruling to Limit Voting Rights Act, Maintaining Current Electoral Maps in South Carolina

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily paused a lower court’s decision that would have curtailed the scope of the Voting Rights Act. This development comes in the context of an ongoing legal battle concerning district drawing in South Carolina. The decision to stay the lower court’s ruling allows the current district maps to remain in…

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“AI Missteps in Legal Practice: Disqualification of Lawyers Over Fabricated Cites Highlights Growing Ethical Concerns”

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a recent decision, three attorneys from Butler Snow LLP were disqualified from representing the former commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections in a federal civil rights case involving an incarcerated individual. The ruling came after a judge determined that the lawyers had submitted filings containing fabricated citations generated by artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT….

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