Administrative Law › Civil Rights

DOES AUTHORITY EXIST FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF BAIL LICENSING LAWS WITHOUT CERTIFICATION OF CRIMES BY THE...

California attorney Joseph Cavallo was convicted of violating Title 10, CCR section 2071, "recommendation of attorney by bail licensee". The authority to prosecute violations of the bail licensing regulations lies with the...more

NY Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, et. al. v. NYC Dept. of Health

Analysis: NYC "Nanny State" Soda Ban Enjoined

Even the best laid plans of "nanny state" policy must pass constitutional muster. Hon. Milton Tingling enjoined New York City from instituting the now-famous sugar sweetened beverage ban that Mayor Bloomberg has touted...more

ALJ Applies Villanueva Factors, Finds Overseas Employee’s Whistleblower Claim “Territorial”

In Dos Santos v. Delta Airlines, Inc., 2012-AIR-20 (ALJ Jan. 11, 2013), an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) examined whether the facts alleged by the complainant required a territorial or...more

Capper, Dir of National Intelligence, et al v. Amnesty International USA et al

SCOTUS Dismisses Federal Wiretapping Challenge

Full text copy of Supreme Court's dismissal of lawsuit challenging federal wiretapping program. On Tuesday, February 26, 2013, a divided Court dismissed a challenge to the FISA Amendments Act, which permits federal...more

In re Simon Shiao Tam

Ex Parte Appeal Brief of Simon Tam of the PTO's Refusal to Register THE SLANTS Trademark

From the Preliminary Statement: This is not yet another case of a member of an ethnic group seeking registration of a supposedly offensive slur on the ground that group members, or he in particular, have “embraced” the...more

But He Looked Black… Court Rebukes EEOC’s Use of “Race Rating” in Systemic Lawsuit

The federal agency charged with ending racial stereotypes in the workplace, the EEOC, hinged its entire systemic case on stereotypical way in which different races “look.” The court was having none of it, excluding the EEOC's...more

Supreme Court Decides Kloeckner v. Solis

On December 10, 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Kloeckner v. Solis holding that “[a] federal employee who claims that an agency action appealable to the MSPB violates an antidiscrimination statute...more

EEOC Sues Womble Carlyle for Disability Discrimination

Law Firm Fired Employee Because of Her Lymphatic Condition, Federal Agency Charges - WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP, a law firm with offices primarily in the southeastern United States,...more

Aerotek Required by Federal Appeals Court to Comply with EEOC Subpoena

Seventh Circuit Affirms That Staffing Firm Must Answer EEOC Subpoena From 2009 - CHICAGO - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that a federal appeals court ordered Aerotek, Inc., one...more

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the "Act") was enacted in 2005. The Act recognizes "the history of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Ontario" and has, as its primary purpose,...more

From the Archives: Bereavement Leave in Connecticut

Our family experienced a great loss this week. My mother in law — a huge fan of this blog — passed away. She always sent me an e-mail on a post she liked. She liked learning and often commented that she found it useful on...more

Proposed “Homeless Person’s Bill Of Rights And Fairness Act” Will Have Huge Impact On Government And Business

California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civil Code Section 51, generally provides that all persons within California are free and equal, regardless of their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability,...more

Vegan Employee May Proceed with Religious Discrimination Claim

A federal district court in Ohio has refused to dismiss a complaint for religious discrimination made by a hospital employee after the employee was fired for refusing to be vaccinated for the flu. The basis of the refusal to...more

Fenwick Employment Brief - January 2013

In This Issue: *FEATURE ARTICLES - New Pregnancy and Disability Regulations for California Employers - Washington Federal Court Declines to Uphold Broad Non-compete Restrictions Against California...more

California’s New Disability Regulations: Clarifying The Interactive Process

In October 2011, the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC) proposed amended regulations governing disability discrimination, reasonable accommodation, and the interactive process under the California Fair...more

Eleventh Circuit Rules on FLSA “Nursing Mothers” Provision

On December 26, 2012, the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued the first decision by a federal Court of Appeals concerning the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") that require employers to provide...more

Judge Reverses Prior Rulings Dismissing Case and Allows EEOC Disability Suit Against UPS to Proceed

Federal Court Affirms Agency May File Class Complaint Without Complete Information on All Possible Bias Victims CHICAGO - On its own motion, a federal district court reversed itself Friday and denied a defendant's...more

Recent Ruling Demonstrates That You Might Find Religion Where You Least Expect It

A ruling from an Ohio federal court warns that a religious discrimination claim can arise from of a set of beliefs that an employer might not ordinarily equate with religion. In Chenzira v. Cincinnati Childrens’ Hospital...more

EEOC Seeks Public Comment on Federal Sector Priorities

Agency's New Strategic Enforcement Plan Calls for Federal Sector Complement - WASHINGTON - The U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that it is seeking public comment regarding its priorities...more

New Jersey Department of Labor Proposes Rules Regarding Recently Enacted Gender Equity Poster Law

On January 7, 2013, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“the Department”) published proposed rules to implement a bill that Governor Chris Christie signed into law in September 2012 which requires...more

HUD Obtains First Settlement Under Rule Requiring Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Equal Access

On January 2, HUD announced that a lender agreed to settle a claim that it refused to provide FHA financing to a lesbian couple. HUD noted that the agreement is the first enforcement action taken under a rule finalized in...more

Sixth Circuit Affirms Dismissal Of “Reverse” Racial Discrimination Claim Against Cracker Barrel

In Martinez v. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc., Case No. 11-2189 (6th Cir. Jan. 10, 2013), in a published decision, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a "reverse" racial discrimination claim arising out of...more

UK Employment Reforms in 2013

The UK’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has issued the ‘Fifth Statement of New Regulations’ (the “Statement”), which provides details of regulatory reforms and implementation dates for 2013. Whilst the...more

California Employment Law Notes - January 2013

In This Issue: - $1.347 Million Award To Former General Counsel For Breach Of Implied Contract Is Upheld - Faigin v. Signature Group Holdings, Inc., 211 Cal. App. 4th 726 (2012) - $114,000 Pregnancy...more

Utah Employment Law Letter - January 2013: Human Resources: This year I resolve to . . . really!

Now that the Christmas rush is over and you’ve indulged in all the excesses of the holiday season, it’s time to make your annual New Year’s resolutions. We’re not talking about resolving to lose 15 pounds or be nicer to your...more