In a significant development for employment law practitioners, the US District Court for the District of New Jersey has ruled that a jury must decide whether Stark & Stark PC terminated its accounts payable manager, Jessica Conner, due to her debilitating shoulder condition. This ruling highlights potential issues of disability discrimination and retaliation, which are…
A legal team from Mayer Brown LLP successfully fought for over two decades to achieve a commutation of the death sentence for Larry Estrada, who was 19 at the time of his sentence, in Texas. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas commuted Estrada’s death sentence to life imprisonment, acknowledging his intellectual disability. The case…
The Ninth Circuit recently affirmed a ruling that the California State Bar is protected by sovereign immunity from an attorney’s lawsuit, which alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The attorney claimed the Bar failed to provide additional time to address disciplinary proceedings linked to an unsettled debt. The appellate court concluded that…
In a noteworthy decision, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that public-school students with disabilities can pursue discrimination lawsuits under the same standard of proof applied to other institutions facing disability discrimination claims. This decision departs from the more stringent standards previously upheld by some lower courts. Chief Justice John Roberts, delivering the opinion of…
A former deputy attorney general who previously handled environmental cases for New Jersey has filed a claim against the state, alleging retaliation for seeking accommodations related to his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The attorney contends that his request for such accommodations led to his subsequent termination, which he argues was motivated by his disability….
Amazon.com Inc. is facing substantial criticism following its mandate for employees to return to the office, even as concerns about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) surface. Disabled employees at Amazon have raised significant issues, reporting that the company’s rigid enforcement of the return-to-office policy is infringing upon their ADA rights as well…
In a decisive ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a higher standard imposed by lower courts for discrimination claims involving children with disabilities. In the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School District No. 279, the Court assessed whether students must face a heightened challenge compared to other disabled individuals when…
The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of combat veterans seeking additional retroactive payments for special compensation, a decision that holds significant implications for veterans nationwide. On Thursday, the court delivered a unanimous verdict that these compensation payments are not bound by the six-year statute of limitations outlined in the Barring Act. This landmark…
Greenberg Traurig, a prestigious law firm renowned for its comprehensive legal services, announced the addition of Kelly Robreno Koster as a shareholder in its labor and employment practice based in Houston. Koster joins Greenberg Traurig from Bracewell, bringing with her extensive experience in labor and employment law. Koster’s practice areas include advising clients on compliance…
Supreme Court Decision on Labcorp Class Action On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a petition from Labcorp seeking to restrict the size of a class action lawsuit alleging the company discriminated against blind individuals using their self-service check-in kiosks. The decision, delivered in an unsigned opinion, was deemed improvidently granted, signaling the…
In a strategic move to bolster its employment law practice in Florida, Fisher Phillips has announced the recruitment of Maritza Gomez as a new partner in their Fort Lauderdale office. Gomez, who previously held a significant position at Gap, brings extensive experience in national and international employment law, with specialization in compliance, risk management, and…
Colombia has taken significant steps in recent years to advance LGBT rights through legal reforms and policy initiatives. However, a report by the UN human rights expert, Graeme Reid, highlights the urgent need for the country to bridge the gap between legislative achievements and the harsh realities faced by LGBT communities. Despite Colombia’s legal progress,…
The California Bar is facing serious allegations from a coalition of disabled examinees following the February Bar exam, where it is claimed that the rights of test takers with disabilities were significantly violated. In a formal letter addressed to the Bar, the coalition highlighted systemic failures in the provision of accommodations, crucial for disabled examinees…
The personal injury law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, along with three of its partners, faces legal action initiated by a former associate, Angelina Wike. Wike claims she was terminated from her position due to her medically diagnosed eye issues, which the firm allegedly perceived as an inconvenience. This lawsuit, filed recently…
A lawsuit alleging disability discrimination filed by former Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP litigator Robert Gordon has been dismissed with prejudice, according to recent court filings. The case, which was being heard in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, saw Gordon claim that the esteemed law firm had…
The United Nations has drawn attention to the plight of political detainees in Belarus, particularly those with disabilities. On Monday, independent human rights experts called for the immediate release of individuals with disabilities and serious health issues who have been detained in connection with the 2020 presidential elections. The Office of the United Nations High…
In a recent development, a former litigator from Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, who brought a lawsuit against the firm alleging wrongful termination due to his disabilities, has signaled an intent to settle with the firm. Both parties involved have communicated their decision to a New York federal judge indicating that they plan…
The United States Supreme Court recently engaged in a divided debate regarding the potential approval of St. Isidore of Seville, a Catholic virtual charter school in Oklahoma, which seeks to be recognized as the nation’s first religious charter school. The absence of Justice Amy Coney Barrett from the proceedings potentially leaves Chief Justice John Roberts’…
The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a decision in favor of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the ongoing Medicare reimbursement dispute, ruling by a 7-2 margin to effectively place restrictions on the number of patients for which hospitals can receive federal reimbursement. The decision, as documented in the official opinion, represents…
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court exhibited a notable divide over a Catholic virtual charter school’s application to become the nation’s first religious charter school. Notably, Justice Amy Coney Barrett was recused from the case, leaving the potential outcome largely contingent on Chief Justice John Roberts, whose inquiries during the hearing did not signal a…
The US Supreme Court convened on Monday to hear oral arguments in a significant disability rights case, A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, No. 24-249, which could redefine the legal standards involved in public education discrimination claims under disability law. The case stems from a dispute in Minnesota, where a student claims that the local school…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently found itself amid a fervent discussion in the case A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case addressing the statutory obligations concerning schoolchildren with disabilities. The crux of the legal contention rests on whether students alleging discrimination on the basis of disability should adhere to a higher evidentiary standard than those…
In a recent session, the U.S. Supreme Court deliberated over the level of proof necessary for students to advance Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims concerning discrimination in public schools. The courtroom atmosphere turned tense when a seasoned attorney accused a peer of misrepresenting facts before the justices. This accusation provoked strong reactions from several…
On a recent day at the US Supreme Court, what would typically be considered a standard legal discourse quickly escalated into a charged exchange between justices and advocate Lisa Blatt of Williams & Connolly. The hearing was focused on when school districts may be held liable under federal disability laws, such as the Individuals with…
The Supreme Court will soon deliberate on an issue that has long been a point of contention for school districts and parents of children with disabilities: the standard of proof required in special education discrimination suits. This matter comes to the fore with the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, which represents the ongoing…