In a recent development, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case of a Union Pacific Railroad Co. engineer, seeking to bring his service dog to work to alleviate symptoms of his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The engineer could effectively perform his job’s necessary functions without requiring the accommodation of having his service dog…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee seeking to invalidate a law that criminalizes “aggravated” prostitution. The DOJ asserts that the law is discriminatory due to its increased penalties for those convicted of prostitution if they are HIV positive. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated in a…
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…
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…
Reports have recently revealed that Troutman Pepper and Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick have been paid substantial legal fees amounting to $1.3 million and $1 million respectively by the Save America PAC, a political action group controlled by Donald Trump, to represent his eldest daughter Ivanka Trump. It has been noted that the PAC…
The Law Council of Australia has urged the country’s legislators to prioritize increased funding for legal aid services in the forthcoming 2024-2025 budget deliberations. Greg McIntyre, the council’s president, has stressed the urgency of this action, citing the dire need within the legal assistance sector and the dependence of many Australians on its services. As…
A disability lawsuit has been filed against the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. The claimant, a man who has attempted the Uniform Bar Exam on multiple occasions, alleges that he was denied reasonable accommodations for his disability. The case was lodged in Colorado state court. To understand the intricate balance between the…
Next month, the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro is set to hit the market. Beyond its pitch to attract Apple enthusiasts and social media influencers, businesses also hold anticipated interest in the new tech product. Perhaps driven by its potential appeal to technology-oriented younger generations or to aid productivity enabling employees with disabilities, businesses seem…
Ukraine has returned a draft law for review, tightening the regulations of mobilization, military registration and military service. The head of the parliamentary faction, David Arakhamia, announced this decision on Thursday, stating that a closed-door discussion took place between the military command and the Conciliation Board on January 11. The draft law was submitted by…
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recently published a report detailing the accelerated decline of human rights in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 7. This report underscores the escalating violence, primarily initiated by Israeli military and settlers, endangering civilian populations. It calls upon Israel and other authorities to…
In a significant development, a divided Maryland Supreme Court has adopted a two-part test for determining whether a disability accommodation request for the state bar examination should be granted. This decision sets a new precedent in this area of law, marking a first impression. According to this new rule, the 4-3 majority reversed a decision…
The State Bar of Wisconsin, well-reputed for its standards and commitment to justice, now finds itself under legal scrutiny. The issue at hand pertains to its diversity clerkship program, which has been accused of operating discriminatory practices “behind closed doors”. In what could amount to a significant legal and social development within the realm of…
New York City has introduced a prohibition against discrimination based on height and weight, affecting retailers throughout the holiday season. Taking effect from November 26th, the New York City Human Rights Law is a significant development for places of public accommodation and retail businesses, which are now put on notice that entrenched biases or “speculative…
The Philadelphia-based legal firm Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bedensky PC has been directed by a federal court to face a lawsuit from an ex-employee. The plaintiff, Desiree Purvenas-Hayes, alleges that her former employer disclosed her medical information without consent, breaching the confidentiality mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court deemed her claim of…
A former partner at the Seattle-based personal injury law firm, Adler Giersch PS, has accused the firm of illegally terminating his contract in light of an alcoholic relapse. In a complaint submitted last Thursday in a federal court in Washington, the ex-partner claims the firm alleged improper actions on his part and violated the Americans…
A Greenberg Traurig attorney was successfully released from a discrimination lawsuit lodged against the firm by his former aide. The case, which was overseen by a Georgia federal judge, examined the parameters of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its application in this particular context. The Greenberg Traurig attorney was not deemed an employer under…
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, an international law firm, and a former employee who previously filed a disability bias lawsuit against the firm have recently settled the suit. The ex-paralegal had asserted that the law firm transgressed state, federal, and New York City laws by terminating his employment upon his request for reasonable accommodations due…
In a recent ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court, a precedent has been set for legal professionals pertaining to client confidentiality in media releases. The court disagreed with an appellate court finding that a press release made by a Chicago plaintiffs law firm, in which it disclosed its former client’s mental health diagnoses upon announcing…
Less than a month ago, a former Home Depot employee filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a failure to accommodate his health condition. The suit, which was first reported on Law.com, is said to be a significant legal case in the corporate sector with potentially far-reaching implications for companies and how they handle such…
In a decision that captures attention across the US legal landscape, the Supreme Court has ruled that a case involving serial Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tester, Deborah Laufer, is now moot. Despite expressing a concern over “litigants manipulating the jurisdiction of this Court” by abandoning cases headed for appeal, the Justices moved forward with…
An en banc Ninth Circuit panel on December 6, 2023, confirmed that the State Bar of California enjoys sovereign immunity in the face of a lawsuit from an attorney. The plaintiff claims that the State Bar did not provide him with sufficient disability accommodations during the bar examination held during the COVID-19 period. The Ninth…
The UK’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) recently released a report expressing grave concern over the government’s approach to improving the lives of disabled people in the country. The WEC argues that the current strategy is disjointed and has urged the government to produce a more cohesive, long-term plan. The National Disability Strategy, made public…
News unfolding from California indicates a pivotal legal decision: the California State Bar has achieved a notable victory as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled it immune from a lawsuit under the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The suit was filed by an attorney presenting a disability accommodation claim….
Diversity Lab, the organization responsible for the Mansfield Rule certification, is proposing 10 additional steps to foster the inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the legal field. As of the now, over 90 prestigious law firms and legal departments have agreed to these disability inclusion proposals, ushering a promising paradigm shift in the industry. The…
The Supreme Court recently dismissed a notable ”civil rights tester” case. The plaintiff, self-proclaimed ”civil rights tester” Deborah Laufer, voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit in the lower court, prompting the Supreme Court to determine that the case was no longer a live issue, thus deeming it moot. In the dismissed case, Laufer aimed to sue a…