Harassment

Third Circuit Session Tackles University of Pennsylvania Conflict and FTC Fee Dispute, Potentially Setting Legal Precedents

Pieter Gunst02 mins

As the Third Circuit embarks on its November session, various contentious issues are on the docket, including legal challenges involving the University of Pennsylvania and a significant fee dispute involving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Legal professionals are closely watching these cases to assess their potential impact on future litigation and regulatory practices. One of…

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Texas Lawyer in Cyberstalking Case Cites Improved Mental Health in Bid for Release from Federal Custody

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Texas attorney currently involved in a cyberstalking case tied to a major BigLaw firm is seeking release from federal custody. Documents filed with the court reveal that the lawyer intends to plead guilty but is arguing for release based on “materially different” circumstances due to mental health treatments received during incarceration. These treatments, according…

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Appeals Court Declares West Virginia’s Daniel’s Law Unconstitutional, Citing First Amendment Violations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Fourth Circuit has affirmed a district court’s decision that West Virginia’s Daniel’s Law is unconstitutional, a development stirring conversations around the First Amendment’s reach in regulating privacy protections for government officials. This legislation, passed in West Virginia, sought to limit the dissemination of home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement and judicial figures….

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U.S. Appeals Court Affirms Broad Implications of EFAA, Shifting Employer Litigation Strategies

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a pivotal decision on September 30, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit clarified the scope of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA), significantly impacting employer litigation strategies. The court held that when an employee invokes the EFAA, a pre-dispute arbitration agreement is rendered unenforceable…

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Supreme Court Upholds Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Inmates, Rejects Trump’s Appeal

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a pivotal ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied the Trump administration’s request to halt an injunction against the Bureau of Prisons’ policy that would deny gender-affirming care to transgender inmates. This decision allows more than 1,000 incarcerated individuals with gender dysphoria to continue receiving necessary treatments such as hormone therapy and social accommodations…

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Massachusetts Jury Awards $6 Million to Former MIT Professor in Defamation Case, Raising Concerns Over Academic Misconduct Allegations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Massachusetts jury has awarded former MIT professor David Sabatini $6 million in a defamation lawsuit against fellow researcher Kristin Knouse. The unanimous decision by the jury, which included seven women and six men, concluded that Knouse’s allegations of sexual harassment were defamatory and had significantly interfered with Sabatini’s professional trajectory. This verdict also includes…

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Kenya’s Human Rights at Crossroads: Amnesty International Reveals Abuses During Youth Protests

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Amnesty International has reported that authorities in Kenya engaged in severe human rights violations during youth-led protests against the country’s declining economic conditions between 2023 and 2025. These protests, which emerged in response to increasing corruption, high taxes, public debt, and social inequality, were met with restrictive and violent measures by the government. The report…

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Texas Judge Sanctions Attorney for Unprofessional Conduct in Trade Secrets Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Texas federal magistrate judge has sanctioned an attorney embroiled in a trade secrets misappropriation case involving two competing oil and gas exploration firms. The sanction comes in response to a series of vulgar emails sent by the attorney to opposing counsel, highlighting a notable instance of unprofessional conduct in litigation. The disciplined attorney, serving…

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Quinn Emanuel Seeks Arbitration in $1.7 Million Fee Dispute, Setting Potential Precedent for Legal Contracts

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP is seeking to compel arbitration in a fee dispute amounting to over $1.7 million. The case, unfolding in a California federal court, involves the firm’s attempt to collect unpaid legal fees from an entrepreneur. This stems from their prior representation in a sexual harassment case against a technology investor,…

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Michigan Supreme Court Enforces Retirement of Judge over Misconduct, Reinforcing Judicial Integrity Standards

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Michigan Supreme Court has mandated the retirement of a former Jackson County judge due to a series of misconduct allegations that include alcohol abuse, sexual harassment of female colleagues, interference in court proceedings, and knowingly concealing delays in rulings. This decisive action underscores a stringent stance on maintaining judicial integrity and accountability. The judicial…

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SixFifty Unveils Advanced HR Compliance Tool to Streamline Employment Law for Businesses

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a strategic move to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of employment law compliance, SixFifty has launched an advanced agentic HR compliance feature, marking its first major product release since being acquired by PayChex. This development could potentially reshape how small and mid-sized businesses navigate the complexities of employment law, a challenge highlighted by SixFifty’s…

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Disney Faces Legal Scrutiny as Former Counsel Sues Over Age Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Mary Fossier, a former associate general counsel at The Walt Disney Company, has initiated legal proceedings against her former employer, alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination. Fossier, who dedicated nearly three decades to Disney, claims she was dismissed in late 2024 to make way for a younger, less experienced colleague. The lawsuit, filed in Los…

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Cornell University Appoints Sally Yates for Independent Review of Sexual Assault Response Policies

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Cornell University has enlisted former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the institution’s handling of sexual assault allegations, bringing a fresh focus to its policies and response mechanisms. This initiative is prompted by criticism surrounding the university’s response to a high-profile case involving a former student, known as Jane…

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California Supreme Court’s Racial Harassment Case Decision Signals Major Shift in Workplace Discrimination Standards

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The California Supreme Court’s decision to revive a racial slur bias suit has significant implications for race discrimination litigation in the workplace. The case involves a Black employee from the San Francisco prosecutor’s office who alleges long-term distress caused by the city’s inaction after she was subjected to a racial slur by a coworker. This…

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Calls for Juror Anonymity Reform Gain Momentum After Clancy Trial Highlights Systemic Vulnerabilities

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The recent Clancy trial has ignited discussions on the critical need for reforms in juror anonymity. The case unfolded amidst heightened public interest, underscoring vulnerabilities in the current system that can expose jurors to external pressures and potential harassment. As the trial progressed, the identities of the jurors became a controversial focal point, with legal…

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UN Experts Urge Pakistan to Release Human Rights Lawyers Amid Concerns Over Legal Proceedings

Pieter Gunst03 mins

UN experts have called on Pakistan to release human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, urging the immediate dropping of charges they claim lack a justifiable basis. Both lawyers, known for their work representing individuals targeted by Pakistan’s legal measures, were re-arrested on September 17, 2026. This arrest followed a decision by the…

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Sexual Harassment Arbitration Exemption Broadens Legal Landscape for Workplace Disputes

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The recent exemption for sexual harassment claims from arbitration agreements has significant implications for all related legal actions. According to a report by Bloomberg Law, the decision extends beyond mere claims of harassment, encompassing a broader range of legal suits arising from such allegations. This development is rooted in the 2022 enactment of the Ending…

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Roblox and Discord Challenge Legal Interpretation of Child Exploitation Cases Under EFAA in Arbitration bid

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Roblox and Discord have recently taken defensive legal stances by moving to arbitrate lawsuits involving allegations of child exploitation on their platforms. Both companies are contending that these cases do not fall within the purview of the federal End Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (EFAA). They argue that the…

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California Civil Rights Department Pursues Racial Discrimination Claims Against Tesla in High-Stakes Trial

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has initiated a bench trial against Tesla Inc., alleging systemic racial discrimination at the company’s Fremont factory. The trial commenced on September 21, 2026, in Alameda County Superior Court, presided over by Judge Peter Borkon, and is scheduled to continue through October 30. The CRD’s lawsuit, filed in 2022,…

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Tesla Faces Racial Discrimination Trial in California Amidst Broader Corporate Accountability Debates

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The trial over Tesla’s alleged racially discriminatory employment practices has commenced in Alameda County, California. This legal proceedings involve accusations made by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) concerning the atmosphere and management practices at Tesla’s Fremont factory. The CRD claims that Black employees at the facility have faced continual racial slurs, segregation, intimidation, and…

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Philadelphia TikTok Lawyer Faces Assault Charges Amidst Ongoing Legal Battles

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Philadelphia personal injury attorney Thomas Bosworth, known for his TikTok presence as “Tommy the Lawyer,” has been charged with simple assault and harassment following an alleged domestic incident on September 3 in Bala Cynwyd. Witnesses reported seeing Bosworth choking a woman and throwing her into bushes along the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. The woman, identified as…

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UN Expert Raises Concerns Over Alleged Abuse and Policy Implications at California Women’s Prison

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls has expressed significant concerns regarding allegations of sexual harassment, threats, and violence reported by female inmates at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF). Reem Alsalem, the rapporteur, highlighted the severe conditions these women face after exposing such issues, including apparent retaliatory actions from the…

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Massachusetts Debt Collector Agrees to $52 Million Settlement Over Alleged Coercive Practices

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Massachusetts-based debt collection operation has reached a settlement agreement with the state’s Attorney General to provide $52 million in consumer relief. This comes after allegations were made against Judgment Acquisitions Unlimited, Champion Funding Inc., and their owner Andrew Metcalf for coercive practices, including the seizure of vehicles to force payments. This agreement follows a…

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Rights Groups Urge Singapore to Drop Charges Against Activists in Crackdown on Peaceful Protests

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a pointed appeal to Singapore’s authorities, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and CIVICUS have implored the government to drop charges against a group of activists facing prosecution for their involvement in peaceful assemblies. These gatherings were designed to advocate for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and to challenge the city-state’s use of the…

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