Civil Rights – Page 36 – Legal News Feed

Bloomberg Law

Corporations Reassess Diversity Initiatives Amid Legal Scrutiny from Trump Administration

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order targeting what his administration terms “illegal DEI,” companies are reassessing their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Business leaders are increasingly concerned about the legal scrutiny accompanying the implementation of DEI programs, prompting legal departments to engage in thorough internal reviews of hiring, training, and other…

Law.com

“Attorney Fees Outpace Plaintiffs’ Awards in Noise Ordinance Case, Sparking Debate Over Legal Billing Practices”

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

In a dispute over a noise ordinance, plaintiffs’ attorneys were awarded $113,000 despite the plaintiffs receiving only a $1 judgment. The case, presided over by Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger of the Western District of North Carolina, highlights a contentious issue concerning attorney fees in relation to the award. Judge Reidinger emphasized that while…

Above the Law

Federal Hiring Freeze Disrupts Career Paths for Aspiring Lawyers and Poses Challenges for Government Talent Acquisition

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The Trump administration’s decision to implement a Federal Civilian Hiring Freeze has left many aspiring young lawyers in a difficult position, as it has led to the elimination of certain positions in federal government departments. The move, marketed as an effort to boost government efficiency, has instead highlighted issues surrounding public sector hiring practices and…

Above the Law

“Legal Sector Faces Transformative Challenges Amid Trump Administration’s Controversial Moves”

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

In a potentially impactful decision, the Trump administration has reportedly halted the entire operation of the DOJ civil rights division, putting a freeze on all pending cases. This move has been controversial, as it labels the division a “reverse discrimination division.” The implications for ongoing civil rights work remain unclear at this time. For further…

Jurist

Trump Issues Executive Order Halting Federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

In a significant policy shift, US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal government agencies. The order also mandates the government to address and inhibit these practices within the private sector, marking a departure from policies implemented over the past few decades. Trump’s directive revokes…

Bloomberg Law

U.S. Supreme Court Considers Examination of Police Use of Deadly Force in Texas Case

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to revisit a lower court ruling regarding the use of deadly force by a Texas police officer, as justices showed a possible inclination to support a claim by a woman whose son was killed during a routine traffic stop. The case, which questions the reasonableness of the officer’s actions,…

Jurist

Supreme Court Declines Appeal, Upholds Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballot Date Rule

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The US Supreme Court recently opted not to hear a legal challenge regarding Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot date requirements, leaving in place a ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This decision is a significant development in election law, particularly with implications for mail-in voting protocols. The case originated when the NAACP,…

Jurist

22 States Challenge Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship in Landmark Legal Clash

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The legal battle over birthright citizenship has intensified as attorneys general from 22 states have initiated legal proceedings against an executive order by former President Donald Trump. The controversial order aims to eliminate the automatic conferment of citizenship to children born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status, a concept embedded within…

Jurist

Los Angeles Deputy Faces Maximum Sentence After Assaulting Transgender Man Over Obscene Gesture

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy, Joseph Benza III, has entered a guilty plea to a federal civil rights charge following an incident where he assaulted a transgender man, Emmett Brock. The altercation arose when Brock, exercising his First Amendment rights, directed an obscene hand gesture toward Benza while driving. This gesture, although considered…

Bloomberg Law

DOJ Attorneys’ Unionization Effort Faces Legal Challenge Ahead of Political Transition

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The ongoing effort by lawyers within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to unionize is encountering significant opposition from a labor resistance group. This development comes in the final days leading up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, adding complexity to the scenario as the political landscape undergoes transition. This labor resistance is spearheaded by the…

Law360

Corporate Legal Talent in High Demand Amid Regulatory Shifts and Ethical Challenges

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

As the corporate legal landscape evolves, a recent report by Law360 highlights a surge in the hiring market for general counsel and chief compliance officers. These roles are becoming increasingly crucial as companies navigate complex regulatory environments and strive to maintain ethical governance. In parallel, the article reports on the challenges faced by Meta, Facebook’s…

Law.com

University of Chicago Faces Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Alleged Retaliatory Eviction of Student Protester

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

The University of Chicago is facing a civil rights lawsuit filed by a former student who alleges wrongful eviction from his dormitory following his participation in a peaceful protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The complaint argues that the eviction violated the student’s First Amendment rights. This legal move comes in the wake of a…

Law.com

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Leads Wrongful Death Suit Over Los Angeles Wildfires Against SoCal Edison

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Renowned civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals. The lawsuit, submitted on behalf of Evelyn Cathirell, one of 17 victims of the Eaton fire, marks the first wrongful death action stemming from these…

Jurist

UN Expert Criticizes Türkiye’s Use of Anti-Terror Laws Against Human Rights Defenders

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

A United Nations expert expressed concerns regarding the alleged misuse of Türkiye’s counter-terrorism legislation to detain nine prominent human rights defenders and lawyers. On Thursday, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor addressed the issue, emphasizing how these practices may compromise fundamental freedoms and contravene international human rights standards. The…

Jurist

Justice Department Sues Tennessee County Over Alleged Racial Discrimination in Voting Redistricting

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated legal proceedings against Fayette County, Tennessee, asserting that the local Board of County Commissioners contravened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The DOJ contends that the newly adopted redistricting plan undermines black voters’ ability to engage equitably in the political landscape and elect candidates that represent…

Jurist

U.S. House Passes Bill Barring Transgender Women from Women’s School Sports Teams; Senate Awaits Decision

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted 218-206 to approve a bill aimed at banning transgender women from participating in women’s school sports teams. The bill specifically bars individuals who were biologically male at birth from joining school sports activities that are designated for women or girls. However, it does allow transgender women to train…

Bloomberg Law

DOJ Litigators Unionize as Trump Administration Looms, Setting Precedent for Federal Workforce

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Civil rights and environmental trial attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice have taken a significant step by voting to establish the department’s first known unions for litigators. According to the labor group that will represent them, both divisions—Civil Rights and Environment and Natural Resources—held parallel secret ballot elections, the results of which were recently…

Law.com

Meta’s Civil Rights VP Exits Amidst DEI Program Wind Down

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

In a recent development, Roy Austin, Vice President of Civil Rights at Meta, has announced his departure following the company’s decision to phase out its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. Austin reflected on the challenges faced by the company, stating, “Building for everyone, listening to everyone, and meeting the needs and expectations of our…

Jurist

Serbian Students Demand Justice: Calls for Accountability and Reform Amplify Ongoing Unrest

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

Thousands of university students in Serbia congregated in front of the nation’s Supreme Court on Sunday in a mass demonstration aimed at highlighting perceived violations of civil rights [under the current populist government](https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/01/serbia-students-protest-for-civil-rights-in-front-of-supreme-court/). The students’ protest is a continuation of the ongoing civil unrest, ignited by the collapse of a railway station roof in November…

Jurist

Immigration Emerges as Top Concern for Americans in 2025 Amid Renewed Policy Debates

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

The recurring theme of immigration as a pivotal issue in American politics has resurfaced with recent revelations from an AP-NORC poll conducted in December. This poll indicates that immigration is perceived as the most pressing government issue for 2025, with 47 percent of respondents expressing this concern. This sentiment spans across the political spectrum, encompassing…

The Stanford Lawyer

Racial Narratives and Their Influence on the Evolution of American Law

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The complex tapestry of American law has been significantly shaped by racial narratives, which are deeply interwoven into the nation’s cultural and legal history. In a notable course offered by Stanford University, students embark on an enlightening journey from the classroom to the historical streets of Montgomery, Alabama. This educational exploration highlights the enduring impact…

Jurist

Amnesty International Urges Uganda to Free Lawyer Eron Kiiza Amid Controversial Military Tribunal Verdict

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

Legal News Amnesty International has called on Ugandan authorities to reverse a military tribunal’s decision and release lawyer Eron Kiiza, who was recently convicted of contempt of court without a trial. Kiiza, who attempted to represent opposition leader Kizza Besigye, was reportedly denied access to the area reserved for lawyers during a court hearing and…

Bloomberg Law

McGuireWoods Expands Pittsburgh Litigation Practice With Strategic Hire of Partner Gretchen Woodruff

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Gretchen Woodruff has joined McGuireWoods as a partner within the firm’s litigation practice located in Pittsburgh, according to an announcement by the firm on Tuesday. Woodruff’s recruitment reflects McGuireWoods’ efforts to enhance its capabilities in employment litigation, particularly in representing employers across diverse industries such as financial services, manufacturing, energy, health care, and communications. In…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court Faces Pivotal Year with Key Cases on Reverse Bias and Wage Law Exemptions

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Each weekday, SCOTUSblog provides a curated selection of news articles and commentary concerning the Supreme Court’s activities. For Monday, January 6, 2025, the focus is on two significant topics that are slated to dominate the Court’s docket this year. The first issue is “reverse bias” and its implications on current legal frameworks and corporate practices….

Jurist

DOJ Accuses Oklahoma of ADA Violations in Care for Behavioral Health Disabilities

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently published findings asserting that the State of Oklahoma is engaging in illegal discrimination against individuals with behavioral health disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The report highlights that Oklahoma has been unnecessarily institutionalizing these individuals in psychiatric hospitals and various care facilities, effectively isolating…