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…
A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has underscored the grave and disproportionate impact of Israeli military actions on children with disabilities in Gaza. According to the HRW release, the violations of humanitarian law include military strikes on hospitals, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and a 16-year blockade on the Gaza Strip. HRW asserts that…
Disability rights groups have launched a Charter challenge against Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAiD) provisions, seeking a court declaration that portions of the Canada Criminal Code are unconstitutional and thus of no force and effect. The legal challenge is based on sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which…
Jackson Lewis P.C. announced the rehiring of Paul Parisi as a principal in their Denver office. Parisi brings substantial expertise in employment law, particularly in issues arising from the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. His prior experience includes serving as the director of litigation and senior counsel at DISH…
Canada’s federal government has launched an extensive action plan to combat the rise in hate incidents, as announced by the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera. The latest strategy brings together 20 federal programs under a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the increasing number of hate-related incidents across the country. Central…
Article on HRW Report Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Wednesday highlighting significant gaps in the comprehensive care framework for individuals with disabilities in Uruguay. Despite Uruguay’s pioneering efforts in integrating personal assistance for people with disabilities into its national care system, the report underscores that persistent deficiencies hinder the independent living of…
Taiwan’s Constitutional Court has upheld the death penalty for severe crimes, such as murder, while simultaneously mandating significant procedural reforms to protect defendants’ rights. On Friday, the court ruled that the death penalty remains partially constitutional, requiring changes to criminal procedures within two years to better safeguard the right to life. The decision emerged from…
Thompson Coburn has announced the addition of Becky Christensen as a new partner in its labor and employment practice, headquartered in St. Louis. Christensen brings extensive experience in counseling employers on a wide array of employment-related issues, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Missouri Human Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and…
In a recent development, Wayne State University defended its decision not to permit a law student to attend classes virtually, asserting it did not breach the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The university presented its case before a Michigan federal judge, stating that the student, who has filed a lawsuit against the institution, declined several…
A coalition of humanitarian, development, and human rights organizations urged all UN member states on Tuesday to adhere to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on the unlawfulness of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. This comes as the UN General Assembly prepares to vote on a resolution to end the occupation. The organizations…
A newly released United Nations (UN) report revealed that the Venezuelan authorities’ response to protests against the contentious results of the July 28 elections was marked by extreme violence, leading to multiple human rights violations. Conducted by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Republic of Venezuela, the report examined the human rights landscape in…
The tension between Duane Morris and partner Meagan Garland is intensifying as they clash over court jurisdiction in a lawsuit that could have significant implications for the classification of non-equity partners in law firms. Garland alleges that Duane Morris has engaged in a “massive tax fraud” by misclassifying some lawyers as non-equity partners, a tactic…
Rubin and Rudman has expanded its trusts and estates group in Boston by bringing on Debra Rahmin Silberstein and Michael Bannister as partners, the firm announced Thursday. Silberstein specializes in family philanthropic planning, tax, and elder law matters, with a focus on assisting families in planning for the needs of their children or relatives with…
While Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits related to food allergies have historically been rare, emerging trends indicate a potential increase in workplace disputes that may lead to litigation. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies affect tens of millions of Americans, with nearly 7% of working-age…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, alleging the state has violated the civil rights of children with behavioral health disabilities. According to the complaint, Maine has not provided appropriate community-based services, leaving families of children with such disabilities with “no meaningful choice” but to place their…
Employers continue to face challenges reconciling the varying legal statuses of intoxicating hemp-derived products on the market containing the psychoactive compound in marijuana, or THC, with their workplace drug testing policies. This legal gray area was brought back to the forefront last week in a split decision from a three-judge panel of the US Court…
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a working paper drawing attention to pressing employment challenges faced by people with disabilities. The report highlights significant barriers preventing the full participation of individuals with disabilities in the labor market and reveals a stark wage disparity. According to the working paper, people with disabilities earn, on average,…
A visually impaired Ph.D. applicant in Ghana named Isaac Anin Baah has filed a lawsuit against the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), one of the nation’s premier higher educational institutions based in Kumasi, after his admission was unexpectedly revoked. Mr. Baah, represented by Mr. Carruthers Tetteh, a lawyer who is also visually…
As companies strive to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market, expanding family building and reproductive care benefits emerges as a strategic approach. An increasingly significant aspect of this trend involves offering tailored benefits for employees undergoing menopause and perimenopause. The implications of such benefits span across several regulatory frameworks, including the Employee…
The Norwegian government announced on Friday its proposal to extend the legal period for self-determined abortions from 12 to 18 weeks. The proposal, intended to modernize the Abortion Act of 1978, is aimed at aligning the law with contemporary values and medical practices. One of the most significant aspects of the proposed law is the…
A University of Denver law school graduate with disabilities, who was terminated by the Denver District Attorney’s Office during an externship, has been barred from suing the university for discrimination. A Colorado federal judge ruled against the former student, citing misogynistic attacks against opposing counsel and other inappropriate behavior as grounds for sanctions. The case…
The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled on Friday that the Biden administration’s attempt to regulate pistol braces was “arbitrary and capricious.” The federal appeals court found that the rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) lacked clear standards, making it challenging for individuals to determine if…
In March 2022, Lori Cohen, a seasoned trial lawyer and Atlanta-based partner at Greenberg Traurig, faced an unexpected challenge when she suddenly lost her voice. Despite intensive efforts that included speech therapy, experimental surgeries, and even Russian gravitational weightlifting, her condition persisted, leaving her unable to speak. Faced with this unprecedented hurdle, Cohen initially dismissed…