Two former students of George Mason University (GMU), who were previously engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with former law school professor Joshua Wright, recently released public statements in support of new policy changes implemented by the university. These stated changes aim to prevent sexual misconduct occurrences on campus. The two women revealed their experience last…
When you’re an in-house counsel at a bustling corporation, daily routine responsibilities might push personal and professional growth to the back-burner. However, regardless of how hectic the year has been, personal development remains an essential aspect of career growth, and it’s never too late to invest time in yourself. Here, we highlight ten ways in…
As the new academic year commences, educational institutions around the globe are increasingly encountering requests from pregnant and parenting students for academic adjustments and accommodations. These adjustments may be due to varying circumstances such as pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery therefrom. Oftentimes, these requests leave administrations grappling with questions about whether a modification is appropriate and…
The state of Florida sees a significant number of bicycle accidents each year, with many of them resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. While bicyclists might understandably feel they are at a disadvantage when involved in accidents with motor vehicles, understanding the common causes of these accidents may aid in prevention. Addionally, it is vital…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed regulations relating to prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements on August 29, 2023. This critical development could have significant implications for corporate legal professionals, particularly those operating in the field of clean energy. These proposed regulations, established under the Inflation Reduction…
A collective of 50 human rights organizations has rung an alarm over the intensive humanitarian toll of the persisting conflict in Sudan, pressing upon the United Nations to adopt definitive measures. The group came forward with their statement while the United Nations Security Council had its meeting about the enduring situations in Sudan and South…
On September 21st, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CDT, a webinar will be conducted specifically tailored to respond to ‘Borrower Defense to Repayment’ (BDR) claims by student borrowers. This digital assembly is an indispensable extension of an ongoing discussion around the U.S Department of Education’s policies requiring regulations that allow student borrowers to discharge…
Reflecting the ever-increasing complexity of the legal landscape in higher education, Bricker Graydon LLP is offering a webinar aimed at highlighting potential legal issues that can arise in institution’s contracts. Scheduled for March 20th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST, this webinar is set to shed vital light on key red flags to watch…
Last week’s question in the legal profession: “Are legal rankings a substitute for thinking?” has sparked considerable discussion. The subject, presented by Christine Charnosky, a legal education reporter for Law.Com, appears to speak directly to leading figures in industry circles. Debate on the matter rages on with a spotlight on the extent to which rankings…
A legal dispute has emerged from the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law, as detailed in a recent lawsuit filed by one of its professors. The suit, which primarily names the school, Provost Michael Bruno, and Dean Camille Nelson as defendants, levies charges of First and Fourteenth Amendment rights violations….
Amidst a growing number of legal challenges inspired by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education, McGuireWoods LLP has announced the formation of a new practice team. The team’s mission is to support clients who may find themselves under potential legal scrutiny relative to their diversity, equity, and inclusion…
In an irony that proves the technical struggles of some within the legal profession, the alumni and students of Columbia Law School recently found themselves in a feedback loop of frustration, triggered by a single, erroneous email distributed to a listserv made up of around 4,000 recipients. The root of this digital pandemonium? An undergraduate…
Recent alterations in the handling of affirmative action in the legal sector have been brought into stark focus by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s changes to their diversity scholarships’ eligibility criteria. This move, as reported by Bloomberg Law, signals their lowered barriers in the face of potential lawsuits aiming at similar programs. The revamp came in…
A former University of Minnesota undergraduate student has initiated a class action lawsuit against the university, claiming it failed to sufficiently protect the private information of over 7.000.000 individuals. The individuals the lawsuit purports were affected encompass a broad range: academic staff, general staff, as well as undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. The data leak…
The California Legislature has made real strides in terms of progressing equality policy with Senate Bill (SB) No. 403. This bill aims to outlaw caste-based discrimination in the state. Now, it has been sent to the governor’s desk for official approval. It’s a significant move, given that California could well stand as the first US…
In a historic move, the Supreme Court has issued rulings on the constitutionality of affirmative action in the context of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina’s admissions programs. As discussed in the recent practice update by Akerman LLP, both institutions’ admissions policies were found to be in contravention of the 14th Amendment’s Equal…
In attempts to improve price transparency and lower costs for patients within the healthcare sector, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce have introduced a legislative package titled the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (LCMTA), on September 8, 2023. This is…
In a noteworthy development, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a district court order denying a motion to compel arbitration of a plaintiff’s discrimination claims in Perez v. Discover Bank. The Ninth Circuit found the mandatory arbitration clauses in student and consolidation loan agreements, which were signed by the plaintiff, did not necessitate…
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) is preparing to host a significant forum, the symposium on “Enabling the Nanotechnology Revolution”, to be held on October 10, 2023. The event is set to take place at the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. As per the details provided, this much-anticipated symposium is aimed at…
The rights and limitations of free speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions, grounded in the principles of the First Amendment, are under continuous scrutiny. Both topics present unique challenges and uncertainties, particularly due to recent evolutions in jurisprudence following the Supreme Court’s decisions in 2023. The shifting landscape and trends in the application…
In a recent article on Above the Law, a number of intriguing legal developments were discussed, sure to pique the interest of those in the corporate and legal sectors. While the title might intrigue, it appears that the finer details of a Biglaw Strip Club Visit are only the tip of the legal iceberg. The…
Beginning January 1, 2024, a new opportunity is set to arise for beneficiaries of qualified tuition programs under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (“529 accounts”), according to the latest provisions under the SECURE Act 2.0 (the “Act”). Under this forthcoming law, these beneficiaries will obtain the ability to rollover their funds from the…
Legal professionals may be interested in a notice on future significant legislative development — the “Build America, Buy America” Act, also known as BABA, contained within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Signed into law on November 15, 2021, by President Biden, the act is scheduled to become effective from October 23, 2023. The Infrastructure…
Welcome to the latest weekly update covering new developments in the world of workplace pensions. This summary, sourced from insights provided by the Allen & Overy Pensions team, focuses on the bold new strides made in the field during the week of September 11, 2023. One topic of major note has been the updates to…
In the past year, several federal appellate courts have breathed new life into lawsuits accusing universities of contract breaches with students. These institutions made the switch to remote learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak, a decision that left students grappling with unchanged tuition and fees despite the altered learning format. Among these is a class-action…