On Monday, the Supreme Court’s docket includes significant cases that address critical issues spanning education and veteran affairs. Among the cases set for oral argument is A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. This case presents a pivotal question about the criteria required to award damages when a school district does not fulfill its obligation to provide…
Reed Smith, an international law firm, has enhanced its labor and employment group by appointing David Long-Daniels as a partner in their Atlanta office. This appointment was announced early this week, marking a strategic move for Reed Smith in strengthening its capabilities in labor and employment law. Long-Daniels is recognized for his proficiency in handling…
This morning, the United States Supreme Court convenes to hear oral arguments in two pivotal cases. Firstly, A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools challenges the legal standards surrounding damages awarded when a school district is found to have inadequately educated a child with disabilities. The implications of this case are wide-reaching, potentially influencing how educational rights…
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court engaged in deliberations concerning the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, marking the latest chapter in the ongoing judicial discourse surrounding the legal rights of schoolchildren with disabilities. Central to this case are two pivotal statutory frameworks: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and a pair of…
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on five pivotal cases in the upcoming week. Among these are significant discussions surrounding class certification and religious charter schools. The cases include questions about whether courts can certify classes of plaintiffs when not all members have sustained an injury. Additionally, they will consider if students claiming…
Amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reorganize the Department of Justice’s civil rights unit, two senior supervisors have been temporarily reassigned. Regan Rush, formerly the chief of the special litigation section, and Rebecca Bond, who led the disability rights section, have been detailed to other offices within the department. These moves are viewed…
A recent ruling by a North Carolina federal judge has brought attention to a case involving a former associate general counsel at a historically Black college in the state. The ruling allows the former attorney to pursue her retaliation claim under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), though her discrimination claim will not proceed. The…
An ongoing legal development from Texas highlights the challenges organizations face in accommodating mental health conditions in the workplace. A recent ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court allows a former assistant attorney for Missouri City, Texas, to advance her disability and leave discrimination claims based on anxiety. The court determined that there is enough evidence…
A legal dispute has surfaced involving Ballard Spahr LLP after a former attorney filed a lawsuit against the firm and the head of its employee benefits group. Filed in New York federal court, the suit alleges that the attorney was dismissed from her position for taking medical leave. She had sought a more flexible work…
A lawsuit has been filed by Kimberly Steefel, a former employee benefits and executive compensation attorney, against Ballard Spahr LLP, alleging that the firm failed to accommodate her epilepsy and engaged in disability and sex discrimination. Steefel’s allegations include being informed on the very day she returned from medical leave that she was to be…
The landscape of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) litigation has broadened with a recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. This new ruling paves the way for non-disabled workers to seek back pay when challenging unlawful medical examinations, even when they do not claim or are perceived to have…
In a contentious move, Iranian authorities are preparing to carry out amputation sentences for three prisoners convicted of robbery, prompting significant concern from international human rights organizations. The individuals, Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharifian, and Mehdi Shahivand, face the loss of four fingers on their right hands. Amnesty International has stated that these actions constitute torture…
On this pivotal Monday morning, the United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in two significant cases. Among them is Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, a case that could have far-reaching implications for religious rights and tax exemptions. The central issue at hand is whether the…
A lawsuit has been lodged against the New York State Unified Court System by the National Federation of the Blind and several individual plaintiffs, alleging systemic discrimination against blind individuals summoned for jury duty. Filed on Tuesday in a Brooklyn federal court, the suit contends that the court system’s lack of accessibility measures effectively excludes…
A former paralegal and aspiring attorney is seeking to maintain her lawsuit against ExamSoft in federal court, alleging that the company’s software crash during a remote bar exam administered during the COVID-19 pandemic violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiff contends that both ExamSoft and the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee failed…
A federal judge in Michigan expressed skepticism over Wayne State University Law School’s refusal to offer remote learning options to a student with a disability. The judge noted it “makes no sense” that the institution could not accommodate the student’s request, given its past readiness to switch to fully remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic….
Addressing the Human Rights Council’s 58th session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, highlighted the persistent accessibility issues confronting people with disabilities, with particular challenges faced by women. Türk criticized the international community’s failure to fulfill the commitments of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which emphasizes the equal birthrights…
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a report shedding light on the alarming impact of mining activities in Kabwe, Zambia, which have led to widespread lead poisoning, particularly affecting minors. The report criticizes the Zambian government for allegedly permitting hazardous mining operations that have severely compromised the health and well-being of its citizens, especially children….
The intersection of remote work and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has become a significant focus for employers, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers are urged to enhance their understanding of the ADA accommodation process, as remote work has surfaced as the most requested accommodation by employees in 2024. The growing demand for remote…
The recent report by Amnesty International has unveiled significant disparities affecting Indigenous youth’s education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted between 2021 and 2023, it draws on over 80 interviews and surveys to underscore pervasive systemic inequities and inadequate consultation with Indigenous communities across various nations, including India, Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, and Mexico. The report criticizes…
Elon Musk has once again positioned himself in the spotlight by announcing plans to suspend federal employees who fail to comply with the government directive for a return to in-office work. This statement echoes the mandate set forth by President Donald Trump, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to reducing remote work. Last month, Musk indicated that…
In a legal challenge to recent executive orders by the Trump administration, three prominent human rights organizations have filed a lawsuit, arguing that these orders falsely portray diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives as illegal. The lawsuit was submitted by the National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the AIDS Foundation of…
Danielle Little has joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) as a partner in its employment practice, the firm announced on Wednesday. Based in the firm’s San Diego and Ontario offices, Little is positioned to bring her extensive expertise across multiple disciplines, further solidifying GRSM’s standing in employment law. With a robust background, Little handles a…
The escalating gang crisis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has inflicted significant harm on children, according to a report by Amnesty International. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, the gang-related violence has increased, reaching “unprecedented levels” in 2024. Children are now facing threats such as forced recruitment, sexual violence, and kidnappings. In…
A federal judge has allowed a disability discrimination lawsuit to proceed against police officers, highlighting an unresolved area of law in the Seventh Circuit. U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso of the Northern District of Illinois stated that while the Seventh Circuit has had opportunities to determine whether Title II of the Americans with Disabilities…