A recent ruling by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has clarified the extent to which personal disclosures can affect workplace confidentiality obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court found that a former paralegal, Desiree Purvenas-Hayes, who had actively shared her anti-vaccine stance with coworkers, could not hold…
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons has officially entered into force, marking a significant step in the protection of the rights of elderly individuals across Africa. This development comes after the 15th instrument of ratification was deposited by African Union (AU) Member States, as…
A federal judge in Pennsylvania recently ruled in favor of a personal injury law firm in a case involving a former paralegal’s claims that her COVID-19 vaccination status was unlawfully disclosed by the firm. The paralegal argued that the firm violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by making her vaccination status…
In an upcoming session of significant legal importance, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a pivotal First Amendment case, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, on January 15, 2025. This case scrutinizes a Texas statute obliging websites to verify user ages if a substantial portion of their content is categorized as “harmful to…
Lawyers with disabilities are advocating for equity in the legal profession, as they confront unique challenges in their careers. These challenges include the need for special accommodations and the risk of stigmatization, along with the fear of being tokenized within their workplaces. Despite these obstacles, disabled attorneys can excel and achieve top positions when provided…
A Colorado appeals court judge emphasized the legal community’s ongoing struggle with fully embracing lawyers with “invisible disabilities,” such as mental health conditions, neurodivergence, and chronic pain, despite advances in accommodating those with physical disabilities. Speaking to law students, the judge, a co-founder of the Colorado Disability Bar Association, highlighted the need for continued progress…
In recent months, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been active in enforcing federal laws related to pregnancy and related conditions, as evidenced by a flurry of lawsuits filed last month. These actions underline the complex and interwoven regulatory challenges, often referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle” of laws, that employers face when managing…
Wells Fargo Bank National Association is currently embroiled in a legal battle following allegations of disability discrimination and retaliation raised by a former paralegal, Susan Beisler Vanderbilt. These allegations, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, assert that Wells Fargo contravened both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)…
The ongoing case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit could impact how courts handle disability discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hardee’s, a prominent fast-food chain, is urging the court to reject a legal test that would allow ADA claims to proceed to a jury if an employee’s…
A recent lawsuit filed by the family of Louis Jung Jr., a diabetic inmate who died while incarcerated, could have significant legal implications for correctional health care practices. On Wednesday, the family lodged a federal lawsuit against the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, claiming insufficient medical care led to the preventable death of Mr. Jung…
The legal community is closely watching as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit prepares for an en banc review that could significantly influence employer defenses in disability discrimination litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This full bench hearing follows a controversial decision by a divided panel that potentially limits the…
The recent removal of the logic games section from the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) has ushered in significant changes in law school applications, as reported by Above the Law. This decision appears to have contributed to a notable surge in applicants, which has seen a 26% increase in prospective students applying for law school…
People with disabilities continue to navigate significant barriers within the legal profession, as highlighted by recent discussions held by experts to mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month. A panel comprising legal professionals and advocates has emphasized the persistent stigma faced by those with disabilities in this sector. They pointed out that despite progress, there is…
In a rare public admission, Takayoshi Tsuda, the Chief of Police of Shizuoka Prefecture, has extended a formal apology to Iwao Hakamata for the egregious misconduct committed during a murder investigation decades ago. This revelation comes in the wake of the acquittal of Hakamata by the Shizuoka District Court, highlighting a troubling chapter in Japan’s…
A recent ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reignited a legal battle for a California attorney, Benjamin Kohn, who alleges that the State Bar of California violated federal discrimination laws by failing to provide necessary accommodations during his bar examination. This decision mandates that Kohn’s case be revisited by a federal trial…
Ted Kennedy Jr., a healthcare regulatory attorney at Epstein Becker Green and a former Connecticut state senator, leverages his personal experiences as a pediatric bone cancer survivor and an amputee to champion the rights of people with disabilities. Kennedy emphasizes the vital role legal employers play in fostering a more inclusive environment for professionals with…
In a recent development, Amnesty International, alongside 14 other organizations, has filed a complaint challenging the use of a risk-scoring algorithmic system by France’s Social Security Agency, specifically the National Family Allowance Fund (CNAF). The complaint seeks to halt the use of an algorithm employed to identify overpayments and errors in benefit payments by assigning…
A judge has been removed from a longstanding case after 13 years on claims of being adversarial towards the defense. This unprecedented shift follows an in-depth review, uncovering substantial deficiencies and investigative lapses. The situation was highlighted in an amicus brief, where attorney Marcy Greer described the repeated failures of the investigation as egregious, causing…
A recent federal civil rights case has brought attention to alleged systemic discrimination by the New York State court system against blind individuals called for jury duty. The complaint, filed by the National Federation of the Blind of New York State alongside Emeline Lakrout, claims that the court often dismisses blind jurors, fails to accommodate…
Within the corporate law sector, disabled and neurodivergent individuals face significant underrepresentation, as highlighted in a recent Law.com report. This disparity persists partly because certain disabilities remain unacknowledged by many law firms, posing additional challenges to individuals seeking integration within the legal profession. The ongoing stigma surrounding disability and neurodivergence underscores the need for the…
In a time when diversity and inclusion have become critical in the corporate environment, representation for individuals with disabilities within the legal field remains insufficient. According to the latest figures, disability representation in corporate law notably lags behind the national average. This draws attention to the need for law firms to not only address this…
In recent findings, a new report reveals that bullying is alarmingly prevalent within the legal profession. Commissioned by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and conducted by consultancy Red Bee Group, the study surveyed over 6,000 Illinois lawyers and found that 24% had experienced bullying in the last year. This translates to roughly one…
In a notable decision, Chief Judge Laura Swain of the U.S. District Court in New York has ruled that online-only retailers cannot be subjected to claims under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In her decision, Judge Swain stated that “a stand-alone website is not a place of public accommodation under Title…
In a comprehensive overview of the diversity challenges faced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), recent findings from the General Accounting Office (GAO) highlight the difficulties associated with instituting change within large federal organizations. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, a sweeping effort has been made to instill equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity…
The US Supreme Court is set to consider a slate of cases in the upcoming term that could significantly impact employment law. Among the issues to be addressed are the requirements for plaintiffs to secure attorney’s fees and the necessity for workers to engage in administrative processes prior to initiating federal civil rights violation claims…