The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court’s grant of qualified immunity to the University of Iowa and its officials. The lawsuit was initiated by a graduate student, anonymously named as John Doe in proceedings, who was expelled on charges of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The student sought to challenge…
When the Australian parliament passed the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation bill late last year, it introduced an innovative requirement for employers termed as “Positive Duty”. According to the new provisions, employers are not only expected to respond to incidents of sexual harassment and discrimination at the workplace, but also take proactive steps towards preventing…
A significant incident occurred recently within the world of soccer that has brought attention to the persistent issues of workplace harassment. This situation involved Luis Rubiales, who recently resigned from his position as the president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF). Rubiales was embroiled in controversy after he was accused of kissing a woman’s national…
Last week, Gunderson Dettmer made headlines due to allegations that its summer associates attended a night club that employs scantily clad go-go dancers for “atmosphere.” This incident, however, is not about a few rogue attorneys forcing a party as it appears. The recent uncovering of certain events suggests that this was an officially sanctioned trip,…
The U.S. Department of Education is facing a delay in finalizing the new version of Title IX regulations due to a record number of public comments. The department had aimed to complete the task by October, but this target appears unattainable now. The proposed changes focus on enhancing the protections for students who have experienced…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has lodged a lawsuit against Prestigious Placement and Spinnaker Management Group, alleging that these entities, both operating as joint employers, breached federal civil rights law. According to the charges, the companies subjected female employees to a sexually hostile work environment. The EEOC, as the federal agency tasked with…
Former FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright, currently under scrutiny for numerous allegations, was reported to have prestigious George Mason University’s “ASS Law” under considerable controversy. Wright is also said to own up to many of the accusations made against him in his ongoing defamation lawsuit against his accusers. The burning question remains, however, how is academia,…
In a recent litigation development, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, a highway construction company with an incorporation base in Delaware, is facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of sexual harassment at one of its North Carolina construction worksites. The case revolves around serious allegations brought forward by a female truck…
In a recent development, popular musician Lizzo has found herself at the center of a lawsuit where three of her backup dancers have filed allegations against her, her tour company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and her dance team captain. This lawsuit has been filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The claims here revolve…
Eden Foods, a natural foods company based in Clinton, Michigan, has agreed to pay over $182,500 in a settlement regarding a sex discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that the owner regularly exhibited sexual harassment towards female employees. The federal agency made this announcement recently, offering…
As the summer draws to a close and the season of legal activity recommences, there have been notable developments throughout UK employment law. These changes seemingly arose without the usual slowdown expected during the summer holiday period, indicating progress has been possible this year. One key area of legislative development is the expansion of family-friendly…
Illinois has been notably busy this summer, with the state’s Legislature and Governor J.B. Pritzker enacting a flurry of new employment laws between June and August, as reported by JD Supra. This rapid sequence of legal changes has major implications for employers within the state, demanding immediate attention. The sweeping modifications range from sexual harassment…
On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letita James made a request to a New York court to declare that former US President Donald Trump had inflated the value of various assets costing between $812 million and $2.2 million each year since 2011. The petition is part of James’ larger financial fraud civil case against Trump,…
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…
In an increasingly uncertain environment, it seems that the productivity of law firms is facing a downturn. However, the market’s distinctive attributes appear to be preventing widespread layoffs, typically seen as the routine response to such occurrences. Read more about this trend here. Simultaneously, the legal industry is being rattled by a series of lawsuits,…
The prevalence of sexual harassment in the legal industry and its far-reaching aftermath is increasingly finding its place in contemporary discussions. The latest analysis from Law.com’s legal education reporter, Christine Charnosky, underpins this, as she takes a deep dive into the consequences and ripple effects that follow episodes of sexual harassment. This report comes at…
In a startling revelation, former Federal Trade Commission member Joshua Wright faces multiple sexual harassment accusations. Wright, who established himself as an antitrust specialist and hailed as a doyen in the field, finds himself in the midst of a storm of criticisms and legal troubles. Notably, Bloomberg News received accounts from eight women claiming that…
Law professionals continue observing the evolving landscape of Title IX interpretations and implementations. To elucidate this, ATIXA’s Annual Conference recently hosted an insightful keynote by Dr. Laura McGuire, Ed.D., an expert in Title IX application. Dr. Laura McGuire has a deep-rooted fascination in Title IX, derived from its simplicity juxtaposed against its wide-reaching and ever-shifting…
In recent legal news, a troubling trend highlights how some lower court judges are getting in significant trouble for their online behavior. A particular case revolves around a judge under intense scrutiny due to inappropriate Facebook comments. This has escalated into a harsh lesson about professional decorum and judicial expectations, regardless of courtroom hierarchy. The…
Joshua Wright, a former commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a law professor, is suing two of his previous students for defamation, seeking $108 million over their accusations of sexual harassment from when they were first-year students in Wright’s class. These students, now senior Biglaw attorneys, claim that Wright used his leverage over…
In a ruling that may catalyze debate amongst legal professionals, a federal court has upheld that Maine state court Judge Charles F. Budd Jr., is immune from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him. The suit was brought forth by Samantha Pike, a counselor privately employed by a treatment center contracted with the Maine Treatment…
The harassment allegations involving Professor Joshua Wright at George Mason University have raised probing questions about institutional responsibility and due process in higher education’s legal circles. As former law students brought forth a series of allegations against the professor, including sexual misconduct in his office and career opportunities predicated on maintaining a sexual relationship, a…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Simply Slims, L.L.C., and Dixie Chicken, L.L.C., with the name Slim Chickens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The agency alleges that the restaurant owners allowed a shift manager to subject a group of teens and young adults to sexual harassment and created a sexually…
As we mark the sixth anniversary of the global #MeToo movement, the impact on U.S. workplaces is garnering renewed attention. The spotlight placed on sexual harassment and misconduct led to significant shifts in cultural norms and made it more pressing than ever for corporations and employment law firms to prioritize and address these issues proactively….
Recent discussions around claims of sexual harassment have begun delving into topics beyond physical or verbal misconduct. An emerging area of concern is whether rumors and gossip can be considered forms of sexual harassment. This topic has gained attention as Title IX regulations dictate that schools, colleges, and districts should have policies to handle claims…