This spring and summer have seen a surge in the investigation of Supreme Court ethics issues, with numerous previously undisclosed financial benefits granted to several justices coming to light, most notably to Justice Clarence Thomas. The examination and exposure of Thomas’s finances have taken a significant path, following the release of an article by ProPublica…
Gaston College, a significant educational institution, has notified approximately 191,000 individuals regarding a data breach that took place in February 2023. After discovering that an unauthorized party had accessed confidential information stored on Gaston College’s IT network, the college filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine on August 25, 2023….
Recent times have seen a handful law schools beginning to offer second chances to their applicants, in the form of a program called LexPostBacc. The innovative program, offering applicants the opportunity to learn their way into law school successes, hints at the new era of education accessibility and diversity. This initiative has been hailed a…
Hazing practices continue to persist in college campuses across the United States, despite the prevalence of anti-hazing laws and school policies. These instances of hazing occur not only within Greek organizations or athletic teams, but across multiple facets of collegiate life, highlighting the broader social issue at hand. The recent hazing allegations at Northwestern University,…
A number of Kenyan rights organizations have come together to voice their concerns over the recent remarks made by the President of Kenya regarding the ongoing legal battle over the ownership of Mumias Sugar Company. Four organizations – The Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, and Humanity Activism Knowledge Integrity…
The UN’s renewal of sanctions on Mali has failed due to a veto by Russia, resulting in the sanctions set to end on Thursday. Initially put into place due to ongoing political unrest in 2015, these sanctions imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on key individuals in the West African nation. The proposed extension…
Since Title IX was introduced in 1971 as a proposed amendment to the Education Amendments of 1971 and subsequently codified at 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681–1688.8, it has served as a fundamental tool to battle against sexual harassment in educational contexts. The principal purpose of Title IX, as set out in U.S.C. § 1681, underscores the…
Recent data reveals an ongoing decline in the filing of lawsuits under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This trend, which began in 2022, appears to continue throughout 2023. Despite the downturn, New York consistently stands out as the most frequent locus for such filings, according to a mid-year review by global…
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed a contentious executive order last Wednesday, providing definitions for ‘male’ and ‘female’, and guiding how related terms should be utilized by state agencies. Asserting that the objective of the order is to uphold the safety and integrity of women’s sports, he has nevertheless drawn criticism for perceived encroachments on the…
There’s a popular belief that parenting duties end when a child turns 18. Legally, a parent’s abilities to make medical and financial decisions for their progeny end at this pivotal point, granted their child has not specifically provided written consent to allow otherwise. This impediment extends to limiting parents’ legal access to their children’s educational,…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently rendered a decision that has sent ripples through higher education and beyond. In the case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, No. 20-1199, the court struck down affirmative action in undergraduate admissions, a move with significant implications. While the case directly affects higher education,…
With Intellectual Property (IP) assuming increasing importance in the AI and Power Electronics industry, leading law firm, Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C. announced a free-of-charge webinar on the subject. Entitled “Intellectual Property Protection Strategies for AI in the Power Electronics Industry”, the seminar will take place on September 7, 2023, at 11 am ET….
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize modern professions and reshape the job landscape, prompting discussions on the ethical and legal implications centered around AI’s increasing role in the workforce. An upcoming webinar, scheduled for September 12th, between 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm CT, sets out to address these consequential matters. Presented by the Society of…
Opponents of diversity programs are employing an unexpected tool in their litigation: a law dating back to the American Civil War era. A spate of suits filed on behalf of white workers in the wake of the US Supreme Court decision that made affirmative action in higher education unlawful, are leaning on a statute originating…
In light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision surrounding affirmative action use in higher education admissions, it seems employers may need to re-evaluate their diversity policies. The case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions processes within higher education institutions….
For those professionals who couldn’t tune into the highly anticipated Legaltech Week show last Friday, you’ll be relieved to learn that the entire show, featuring key ILTACON takeaways, is now accessible via video. An in-depth post-mortem analysis of the conference was discussed in the hour-long broadcast, providing essential insights for legal practitioners. For those not…
On the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus, an active shooter event occurred on Monday, with a burdened doctoral student taken into custody following the incident. While the tragedy is a solemn event in itself, an entirely different cause for concern has arisen regarding the response of the institution during the active shooter situation….
The game of constant watch-and-wait continues as updated Title IX regulations seem unlikely to be finalized by October 2023. Those in the Title IX field, already well attuned to the technicalities of federal regulation, might find this delay vexing. While the intricacies of these laws can often induce boredom, their implications hold significant weight for…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a caution to trademark applicants against ‘spoofed’ calls that impersonate the Office. These calls are a technique employed by phone scammers who are aiming to fool the call recipients into disclosing personal identifying or payment information. The scammers impersonate employees of the USPTO in an…
Divorce is never easy, but when children are involved, the complexity can escalate. Parents must not only manage their own emotional turmoil, they must also juggle the welfare and feelings of their children. Here are four crucial aspects to consider when finalising a parenting plan as part of your divorce proceedings. Before we delve into…
Understanding the basics of copyright law is critical in avoiding costly legal issues down the line. The world of intellectual property can be a labyrinth, and when it comes to the specific intricacies of copyright law, mess-ups can potentially cost firms millions in lawsuits. Leaning into this crucial topic, Bricker Graydon LLP is hosting a…
New guidelines developed through a collaborative effort by the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) and the Department of Education (DOE) have been issued by the New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and acting Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan. The guidelines, available in a recently released document, are a response to a 2020…
Recently, an announcement was made about an interesting upcoming event by the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) in North Texas. This event titled “Meeting & Happy Hour” is slated to hold on September 13th in Dallas, Texas (see details). This presents an excellent opportunity for legal professionals and corporate representatives to join in discussions…
Interest on federal student loans will start accruing again in a few days, with payments set to restart in October. Borrowers face a choice between standard repayment plans that offer a fixed timeline for full balance repayment, forbearance, or an income driven repayment (IDR) plan where monthly payments are determined based on income. These include…
The forthcoming Higher Education Compliance Conference, set for October 25th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT, provides a vital opportunity for compliance professionals and legal thought leaders in higher education. The conference promises pertinent compliance strategies and insights to help participants navigate the complex legal landscape of higher education. The virtual event is designated…