Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP have announced the addition of a new member to their labor and employment practice group. Kindall C. James, a seasoned lawyer specializing in labor and employment issues, has now been appointed as a partner in the firm’s Houston office according to a recent press release by the firm. James’s main…
The legal fraternity should closely observe the developments unfolding in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where an en banc court may potentially revive a civil rights lawsuit. This case involves a woman, Erma Wilson, who alleges that a local Texas prosecutor unduly influenced her criminal case by drafting papers associated with…
Recent social media exchanges involving Mark Cuban, the renowned billionaire business magnate, and Andrea Lucas, a Republican commissioner on the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC), have sparked widespread conversations among legal professionals about the increasingly complex standards used to determine instances of illegal discrimination in the workplace. Cuban, known for his frank and proactive stance…
As companies increasingly incorporate personality tests into their pre-hire assessments, they are faced with a complex landscape of legal considerations. These tests, whose potential for impact is amplified by the integration of artificial intelligence tools, require close examination to ensure they meet federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and privacy laws. Saraie and Doty from Alston…
The concept of qualified immunity, a doctrine that protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations in the course of their duty, is currently facing significant examinations in Louisiana. This topic has become controversial due to its implications for law enforcement and the public alike. For many years, qualified immunity has been…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) underwent a crucial shift in August as control slipped to the Democrats. The EEOC, an agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, is predicted to increase filings for transgender-discrimination cases. This trend can be attributed to several recent occurrences, including this change in management. There has…
Stephen Miller, the former Trump administration advisor, has drawn attention to himself by attacking the National Football League (NFL) right before the Super Bowl, according to reports. Miller, who is not a practicing lawyer, launched an attack through his America First Legal group, aimed at the NFL’s diversity initiative known as the ‘Rooney Rule.’ The…
SpaceX, the aerospace company led by Elon Musk, has been hit with fresh allegations of sexual harassment. This information comes from a recent report published by Bloomberg law, as seven former employees claim that the organization’s executives discriminated against women, made light of sexual harassment, and terminated workers who voiced their concerns. The same group…
In a continuing examination of legal matters that have generated notable buzz in the field, let’s turn our attention to an interesting recap published on Law360 just last week. The review provides a concise look at law firms, stories, and insightful analyses that made waves among legal professionals. The original recap, while detailed and expansive,…
In the grim aftermath of the American Civil War, a beacon of hope and racial progress emerged. In 1868, three pioneering Black individuals etched their names into history as they established the first all-Black law firm in the United States. The founders were Macon Bolling Allen, William Whipper, and Robert Elliott. This law firm didn’t…
In a notable legal event, Edward Blum’s group has received a sum of $4.8 million for legal fees and costs from the University of North Carolina (UNC). The funds cover the expenses from the group’s successful challenge at the US Supreme Court. The details of this transaction were discovered through a public records request by…
The 11th Circuit is set to hear oral arguments in a potentially significant case which tests a post-Civil War law pertaining to discrimination. The appeal is centred around a challenge by the American Alliance for Equal Rights to an Atlanta venture fund’s grants aimed specifically at supporting Black women entrepreneurs. The legal advocacy group posits…
The legal landscape is tested once again as the US Justice Department has leveled harsh allegations against former New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo. The Justice Department alleges that Cuomo subjected at least 13 female state employees to a sexually hostile work environment, presenting serious legal and ethical concerns for legal professionals to consider. Learn more…
Welcome to this week’s analysis of current legal affairs from our partners at How Appealing blog, the first blog targeted squarely at the intricacies of appellate litigation. One fascinating piece of analysis explores Justice Scalia’s interpretation of the term ‘officers of the United States’ and its application to the role of the president. The findings…
In a significant development, Kaloma Cardwell – formerly a Davis Polk associate who has leveled charges of racial discrimination and retaliation against the firm – has agreed to drop a Davis Polk partner from the defendant list in her ongoing lawsuit. The trial however continues, with Davis Polk, a former managing partner along with the…
In a drastic instance of state legislation overriding gubernatorial veto, the Ohio Senate on Wednesday acted in unison with its House counterpart to overpower Governor Mike DeWine’s attempt to block a contentious bill. The Senate’s vote follows an earlier House vote on January 10 to override the governor’s veto for HB 68. This combined action…
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently denied an appeal by Texas citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal, who asserted that her 2018 arrest for misuse of official information was unconstitutional. The arrest followed Villarreal’s report on an ongoing investigation surrounding the suicide of a federal law enforcement agency employee, based information she received…
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) effort to enforce civil rights was recently set back when a Louisiana federal judge made a pivotal ruling. Under this decision, when considering Title VI cases, certain cumulative impacts were deemed off-limits. This legal development notably occurred in Louisiana, a state with a longstanding relationship with environmental regulation, largely due…
The UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group examined the human rights record of China, one of the 14 states reviewed during this year’s session. This is China’s fourth review, with previous ones conducted in February 2009, October 2013, and November 2018 which served as a foundation for the latest review. China…
In a recent employment suit against Robert Half International Inc., a Black job applicant in Michigan was unable to successfully demonstrate that she faced discrimination or retaliation from the corporation. The plaintiff, Brenda K. Sanders, contended that the HR firm violated Title VII as well as the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. She further alleged…
New York-based social justice law firm Sanford Heisler Sharp recently made an internal shift by naming David Tracey as its new managing partner. Tracey will work alongside firm chairman David Sanford and co-vice chairmen Jeremy Heisler and Kevin Sharp. As managing partner, Tracey will play a critical role in “establishing firm-wide policies and office culture,”…
Former Troutman Pepper associate, Gita Sankano, has filed a discrimination claim against the major law firm in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The claim alleges that Sankano, the only Black female attorney in the firm’s D.C. office, suffered racial discrimination and retaliation in violation of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights…
Stacey Grigsby, who formerly served as the deputy White House counsel to President Biden, has returned to Covington & Burling. In her new role, she’ll be serving as a litigation partner based in the firm’s Washington office, according to a statement made by the firm this Thursday. Grigsby’s responsibilities will include co-chairing the government litigation…
In the U.S. Supreme Court legal scene, the “relist” practice has been a topic of interest recently. Relisting refers to when the court revisits cert petitions during its conferencing process. It appears the Supreme court is making significant progress in handling the backlog of relisted cases. Last week, the court granted review in five relists….
In a significant development in the legal landscape, three top-tier ‘Big Law’ firms have provided pro bono aid in the merger of two prominent national trans civil rights organisations. Cooley, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, and Brown Rudnick have each pledged their support in different areas. Cooley is providing legal counsel for the National Center for…