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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
An attorney and her former mentor have reached a settlement following the dismissal of a lawsuit involving allegations of sexual harassment and employment discrimination. This outcome materialized after the plaintiff’s case was dismissed last month due to repeated discovery violations, a significant procedural setback that effectively precluded trial. The case, which had drawn attention within…
In the wake of a controversial article published by The New York Times, attorneys representing Uber have reported receiving hate mail and threatening messages. The article, published on August 4, highlighted Uber’s legal strategies in handling sexual assault cases, specifically questioning the implications of focusing on what plaintiffs were wearing during incidents. This has provoked…
In a recent legal skirmish, a North Carolina sports bar is pushing back against a substantial attorney fee request made by a former manager, who successfully claimed sexual harassment against the establishment’s owner. The ex-manager’s demand for nearly $431,000 in legal fees is deemed excessive by the sports bar, which argues that the request is…
The recent proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have stirred discussions regarding the distinction between gender bias and sexual harassment in the workplace. The case in question involves an ex-partner’s allegations against law firm Thompson Hine, claiming that a “frat boy” culture permeated her work environment. This cultural backdrop, she…
A legal battle with potential implications for the judicial workplace has reached the United States Supreme Court. A former public defender is suing the federal judiciary, alleging a pervasive problem of sexual harassment within an environment described as a “uniquely insulated institution.” The case underscores broader concerns regarding the lack of basic workplace protections for…
In a noteworthy decision, a panel from the Seventh Circuit Court highlighted the importance of accuracy in legal documentation. The court rebuked a lawyer for including a fictitious entity in a lawsuit that targeted the Wisconsin Court System and a former judge. The plaintiff’s attorney had substituted the actual institution with a “made-up” name in…
In a recent development surrounding a legal dispute over sexual harassment and retaliation, a Michigan federal judge has ruled that an attorney accusing her former mentor and law firm must undergo two additional hours of deposition. The decision follows allegations that her conduct during the initial deposition obstructed the examination process. This extension is also…
Justice Clarence Thomas has forged a notable path as the second-longest-serving justice in the history of the United States Supreme Court. Appointed in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush, Thomas has spent more than three decades influencing the court through a tenure marked by significant decisions and a distinctive judicial philosophy. His tenure is notable…
A recent decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has determined that Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP cannot compel arbitration in a lawsuit involving allegations from a former associate. The ex-associate claims she was subjected to harassment and subsequently terminated due to her pregnancy, a matter which court findings have indicated is not…
The legal community is observing closely as a former DLA Piper partner seeks dismissal of rape claims made by a former associate. This case began last December when the associate filed a lawsuit against the partner, Louis Biggs, and the law firm, maintaining her anonymity. However, a recent ruling requires her to reveal her identity…
In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Michigan, a managing partner of a law firm has petitioned a federal court to mandate the surrender of allegedly withheld communications and the forensic imaging of electronic devices from a former attorney who has accused him of sexual harassment. This request signifies a significant development in the ongoing…
A spotlight has been cast on the legal tactics employed in the case against billionaire Leon Black, as a prominent lawyer from Wigdor LLP faces judicial sanctions. The court imposed these sanctions due to the lawyer’s repeated presentation of misleading statements, raising concerns around ethical conduct in legal practice. The sanctions were issued against Jeanne…
An attorney’s effort to adjust her ongoing legal battle, involving sexual harassment and retaliation against her former mentor and law firm, encountered a setback when a Michigan federal judge ruled against her. The judge’s decision came after the attorney attempted to introduce a defamation claim and modify other aspects of her lawsuit. The court held…
In a significant legal development, a former investigator employed by a Michigan public defender’s office has filed a federal lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and assault by a senior male attorney. The complaint, lodged on Monday, details allegations of misconduct that purportedly led to retaliation and constructive termination after she reported the incidents. The lawsuit highlights…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has declined to reconsider its decision in Bruce v. Adams & Reese, LLP, affirming that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (EFAA) invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements for entire cases that include sexual harassment claims. This decision underscores the court’s…
In a lawsuit filed this week in California state court, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, a prominent law firm, faces allegations from its former national billing director. The lawsuit accuses the firm of overlooking instances of racist behavior and sexual harassment perpetrated by its partners. It also brings to light concerns about unethical billing…
In a recent development within the legal community, a federal judge in Michigan has permitted three attorneys to withdraw from a case involving allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. The plaintiff, an attorney herself, has accused her former mentor and law firm of misconduct, highlighting persistent challenges within the legal profession concerning workplace behaviors. The…
In a recent development from Michigan, a federal judge conveyed a firm stance on the proceedings of a protracted sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. The judge stated she is unlikely to grant another stay if the attorneys representing the plaintiff, who is suing her former mentor and law firm, choose to withdraw. “We’ve been here….