In a significant move, the United States Supreme Court rejected the chance to review a relevant Fourth Circuit decision on November 6, 2023. This decision involved an ADA accommodation case, Hannah v. UPS, No. 21-1647 that had initially been dated July 10, 2023. In this case, summary judgment was affirmed for the employer. The Fourth…
The increasing significance of technology in the legal sector has gained widespread recognition in recent times. Wolters Kluwer’s fifth annual “Future Ready Lawyer Survey” gives valuable insight into this trend. The survey encompasses views of 700 lawyers from diverse law firms, corporate legal departments, and business services firms across the U.S and Europe, exploring the…
A recent survey has found that a majority of prospective law students prefer attending a law school that aligns with their own political affiliations. This survey, conducted by global educational provider Kaplan, indicated that 58% of participants consider attending a law school where their peers generally hold the same political and social views as essential….
Recent proposals from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) aim to bolster diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the nation’s financial services sector. This scheme notably hinges on mandatory data reporting and widespread public disclosure of D&I data. According to these proposals, firms operating within the UK’s financial services landscape will…
The United Kingdom’s financial services regulators are introducing a new framework for diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the sector. The new set of proposals includes expectations for companies to report various D&I data on an annual basis. More specifically, these regulatory changes would necessitate that in-scope firms disclose extensive diversity data about their senior management…
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are presently considering proposals to introduce a new regulatory framework concerning diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the financial sector. A full overview of the proposal can be found here. This strategic initiative aims to ensure in-scope firms are maintaining standards of inclusivity in their…
In efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in financial services, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reaching out to engage with companies. The FCA initiated a consultation named CP23/20 Diversity and inclusion in the financial sector – working together to drive change, which brings forth a series of proposals for a new regulatory framework on…
The Fifth Circuit panel recently came to a decision regarding Nasdaq’s diversity disclosure rules, a decision that upheld the listed regulations after they were targeted by petitioners who challenged them under both the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This was seen in the case of Alliance For Fair Board Recruitment…
In a bid to address demographic underrepresentation within UK firms and the financial services industry as a whole, the UK financial services’ regulators have made tentative new proposals on setting diversity and inclusion (D&I) targets. These market regulators expect the in-scope firms to establish a minimum of one objective for its management, senior leadership, and…
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions, Wall Street firms like Simpson Thacher and Paul Weiss have initiated new practices dedicated to building diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These law firms identified a business need for such dedicated practices due to client enquiries about racial equality audits and…
Global professional services organization Ernst & Young (EY) recently announced the appointment of Janet Truncale as its next chief executive officer. This strategic move positions a woman at the helm of one of the Big Four accounting firms for the first time in history. The effective date of Truncale’s executive role transitioning is July 1,…
The UK financial regulators have put forth a detailed proposal in an attempt to drive improvements in diversity and inclusion (D&I) within in-scope firms. This proposal outlines potential enhancements to D&I strategies which could significantly enhance firms’ obligations towards these strategies according to an update by Allen & Overy LLP. Based on the proposal, firms…
During the week of November 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) Veterans Employment and Training Service (“VETS”) held its virtual 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award Ceremony. The event, which coincided with Veterans Day 2023, recognized 859 civilian employers with either gold or platinum-level awards. This milestone honors organizations that have demonstrated commitment and…
The American Bar Association (ABA) has revealed the recipients of the 2024 Spirit of Excellence Awards. The prestigious accolade is given to lawyers who promote ethnic and racial diversity in the legal profession. Although specifics on each awardee’s contributions are not immediately available, the ABA ensures awardees have made substantial, impactful contributions to diversifying the…
In what has been an engaging week in corporate legal news, two incidents particularly claim the professional’s attention. First, a recent study has shed light on the state of diversity in law firms. Despite a clear desire from general counsels for more diversity, it seems that many are not taking proactive actions to actualize this…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to affect a wide array of professions, going beyond the impacts traditionally associated with automation. The effects span diverse job types, and the implications of this transition cannot be underestimated. This expectation, however, raises significant concerns regarding vulnerable populations in the workforce. AI’s influence in the labor market could potentially…
As the global movement for diversity and inclusion continues to gain momentum, an issue has emerged within the corporate legal sector. Today in The Legal Intelligencer, it is asserted that in-house counsel, those lawyers employed directly by corporations, are not holding law firms accountable for diversity. Despite verifiable benefits, such as improved organizational performance and…
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have put forth new proposals that could bring about crucial changes for diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the financial services sphere. The applicability of these measures may vary significantly, predicated mainly on a firm’s size and its categorisation under the Senior Managers and Certification…
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) newest commissioner, Kalpana Kotagal, has indicated her eagerness to work alongside her two Democratic associates to furnish further guidance and champion diversity and inclusion initiatives in US workplaces. The Democratic Commissioner shared her intentions during a press event that took place this Tuesday. Kotagal has voiced her plans…
On October 25, a ruling by a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Nasdaq board diversity rule amidst various challenges. The opposition claimed, among other things, that the rule tried to improperly and unconstitutionally mandate the composition of corporate boards. This news came in the wake of growing calls across several…
In a recent episode of On Record PR, Jennifer Simpson Carr interviewed Dr. Joel Davis Brown, the Chief Visionary Officer at Pneumos, LLC, discussing transformational leadership strategies. Pneumos, LLC is a management consulting and coaching firm working with notable clients including LinkedIn and the United Nations. Joel also carries the distinction of being a co-founder…
A Chinese American attorney is currently challenging Napoli Shkolnik PLLC’s efforts to dismiss her discrimination lawsuit against her former law firm. In her most recent filing in a New York federal court, the attorney contends that her claims are supported by comprehensive accounts of prejudiced behavior. These accounts demonstrate that the defendants, according to her…
In recent years, diversity and inclusion have increasingly become focal points in corporate strategies, not only for their inherent value but also for their critical role in effective leadership. In light of these developments, a notable episode of On Record PR dives into practical strategies business leaders can utilize to foster an inclusive work environment….
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently initiated a consultation focused on establishing a robust new regulatory landscape catering to diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the nation’s financial sector. This move underscores the FCA’s stance that D&I is a matter of regulatory interest, calling for further action and reforms. As noted in this article, the…
Lawyers from Covington & Burling have secured a victory worth 267 million dollars for DTEK Group in a dispute with Russia pertaining to seized assets in Crimea. Following a five-year long legal battle, an international arbitration panel based in The Hague ordered Russia to compensate with the hefty award amount, as confirmed by both the…