Human Rights Watch (HRW) has made a public call urging Kazakhstan to take decisive actions towards implementing recommendations from member states at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Universal Periodic Review. This appeal, released on January 30, 2025, highlights the council’s comprehensive review, which saw input from 103 state delegates, resulting in 294 recommendations…
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Amazon, alleging that the company’s point-based attendance policy discriminates against employees. The claim asserts that the policy negatively impacts workers who take time off for legally protected reasons, such as disabilities or approved leaves of absence. The complaint argues that this attendance system disproportionately affects individuals requiring accommodations…
The risks associated with cell phone usage while responsible for others’ safety were starkly illustrated in a recent trial in New Jersey, concluding with the conviction of Amanda Davila, a 28-year-old bus monitor. Davila was found guilty of neglecting her duty to supervise 6-year-old Fajr Williams, who tragically died while being transported on a school…
The State Bar of California has succeeded in its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit vacated a lower court’s ruling that previously determined the State Bar was not immune from a lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which was initiated by a disabled…
In a session on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court showed inclination towards Karyn Stanley, a retired firefighter from Florida seeking to sue her former employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Stanley’s case revolves around a policy change in the Sanford fire department, which left her to manage the full cost of her health…
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments today in two significant cases that may have far-reaching implications for sentencing and employment discrimination law. The first case, Hewitt v. United States, addresses the sentencing reduction provisions under the First Step Act. This case could determine how courts interpret the Act’s scope concerning sentence…
The High Court of Kenya has ruled that the criminalization of attempted suicide is unconstitutional, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to mental health issues. This decision, delivered on Thursday, is rooted in the argument that individuals who attempt suicide require care and assistance rather than punishment. Justice LN Mugambi, in delivering the…
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…
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing sheds light on a significant legal conflict involving Karyn Stanley, a retired Florida firefighter. At the heart of this case lies the pivotal question of whether she can pursue litigation against her former employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alleging discriminatory practices in the provision of retirement benefits…
In an appeal to the legislative branch, a coalition of 344 organizations has issued a letter urging the newly constituted Congress to ensure the protection and enhancement of Medicaid. Sworn in on January 3, the legislative body received communications from prominent organizations imploring it to not just preserve but also strengthen the federal program that…
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…
“`html New York City’s oldest deli, an establishment with a storied history in both reality and pop culture, has reached an agreement to make significant updates to its facilities. The deli, renowned for being featured in scenes such as the iconic “I’ll have what she’s having” moment from the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” will…
The U.S. Department of Justice has found that two lawyer groups in Tennessee have violated federal disability bias laws. The allegations center around the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners and the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, which reportedly denied a law license to an applicant based on his use of medication for opioid use disorder. According…
A recent report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has uncovered the troubling prevalence of arbitrary detention in South Sudan. Covering the span from January 2023 to May 2024, this report sheds light on numerous human rights violations, with both…
Nearly two dozen former federal judges have joined a mounting chorus urging President Joe Biden to commute federal death sentences before leaving office. The judges have expressed concern over “fundamental problems” within the federal death penalty system, citing issues such as racial discrimination in trials and sentencing, and the intellectual disabilities of some defendants, as…
Microsoft Corporation is currently facing legal action initiated by Elizabeth Stephens, a former director overseeing data center cyber risk intelligence. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, alleges that after Stephens requested medical leave, she became a victim of discrimination based on race, gender, and disability. This legal…
The United Nations has voiced concerns over the worsening impact of climate change on the indigenous communities in Vanuatu. During a week-long visit to the island nation, Elisa Morgera, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the context of climate change, detailed the detrimental effects that climate shifts are having on the ni-Vanuatu people….
The UK Parliament has given its initial approval to an assisted dying bill, aiming to provide terminally ill adults with the choice to end their lives in a controlled and compassionate manner. This legislative effort follows extensive debate over the adequacy of current laws surrounding terminal illnesses. Although the Parliament admitted that the existing legal…
In a recent legal development, Heather Kristin Strack McCutcheon, a former associate attorney, has initiated a lawsuit against her previous employer, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, alleging disability discrimination and retaliation, a story initially reported by Bloomberg Law. McCutcheon, employed at the law firm from May 2019 until her termination in September 2023, claims…
Jackson Lewis has announced the addition of Emily Chase-Sosnoff as a principal in the firm’s Tampa office, further strengthening its presence in Florida. Chase-Sosnoff brings a wealth of experience in advising business leaders, human resources professionals, and managers on various aspects of workplace management. Her expertise encompasses performance management, leaves of absence, discipline, and termination….
The Global Rights Project (GRIP) has unveiled its second annual report on human rights for 2024, marking a stark picture of global adherence to civil liberties. The data-driven evaluation, which derives its results from the CIRIGHTS Project, assigns failing grades to over 62 percent of the countries evaluated. This represents the lowest possible grade within…
Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) announced the execution of Rosman bin Abdullah, a convicted drug trafficker, which occurred amid international appeals for clemency. This execution is in spite of various international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Office, urging Singaporean authorities to cease such actions due to concerns about human…
Amnesty International has urged Singaporean authorities to impose a moratorium on all executions, in light of the upcoming execution of Rosman bin Abdullah, a man with disabilities who was found guilty of drug trafficking. Scheduled for November 22, 2024, Abdullah’s execution has incited significant international criticism, including from the UN Human Rights Office of the…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil rights investigation into the police shooting incident involving the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department in Illinois. This move comes after a letter was sent to the department, highlighting potential civil rights violations in the wake of the shooting of Sonya Massey on July 6. The DOJ’s…
A criminal defense attorney has been making strides in ensuring a more inclusive justice system by fervently advocating for clients with mental disabilities. This legal professional’s efforts are aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable group within the criminal justice framework. The attorney has underscored the importance of understanding the intersection between…