Employment

May 20, 2025
Worker Says Health System Must Face Time Rounding Suit

An Ohio county health system should face a proposed collective action accusing it of illegally rounding down workers' time in efforts to short them on wages, a medical assistant said, telling a federal judge she put forward enough detail to back up her claims.
May 20, 2025
EEOC Annual Worker Data Bid Opens With Diversity Warning

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's annual workplace demographic data collection window opened Tuesday with a warning from the EEOC's acting chair that employers can't act on protected characteristics like race and sex to try to enhance diversity.
May 19, 2025
Ex-OneTaste Staffer Says Sexual Labor Was Part Of The Job

A former OneTaste sales employee and "coach" testified Monday in the trial of two former executives, saying she was directed to engage in sexual activity while working a grueling schedule for the sex-themed wellness company, one of multiple ex-staffers to say they suffered psychological harm from their time at OneTaste.
May 19, 2025
Goldstein Assails 'Radical' DOJ Case, Probe Of 'Sexual Habits'

In his most forceful attack on tax evasion charges that have roiled the U.S. Supreme Court bar, indicted appellate icon Thomas C. Goldstein is accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of embracing "breathtaking" legal theories and revealing prurient information about him "to bias the grand jury."
May 19, 2025
Feds To Use FCA To Go After Antisemitism, DEI Policies

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that it will use the False Claims Act to go after any recipients of federal funds that the agency determines promote diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and allow antisemitism to thrive.
May 19, 2025
Trump Admin Fights Bid To Block OPM From Helping DOGE

A trio of unions can't substantiate their claims that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is inappropriately disclosing sensitive data to the Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration has told a New York federal judge, asking her to toss the unions' injunction request.
May 19, 2025
Former Kite Pharma Exec Alleges Gender Bias, Retaliation

Gilead Sciences and its subsidiary Kite Pharma have been hit with a suit in California state court by a former company executive alleging she was underpaid compared to her male counterparts and fired while out on medical leave after she raised concerns about equal pay.
May 19, 2025
4th Circ. Partially Revives Eye Drop Maker's IP Theft Suit

A Fourth Circuit panel partially revived Monday eye drop maker OSRX Inc.'s trade secret theft lawsuit against a former sales executive who is accused of defecting to rival ImprimisRx with OSRX's confidential information, affirming the lower court's decision to send claims against the ex-executive to arbitration, but rebooting allegations against ImprimisRx.
May 19, 2025
Posner Wins Ex-Staffer's $170K Wage Suit

A former executive at retired Seventh Circuit Judge Richard Posner's short-lived pro bono legal services organization lost his bid for $170,000 in back pay he claimed to be owed on Monday when an Indiana federal court found claims to be untimely.
May 19, 2025
FCC's Carr Claims Victory Versus DEI In Verizon-Frontier OK

Verizon took a leap toward closing its $20 billion bid for Frontier Communications by gaining the Federal Communications Commission's approval after ditching its diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the behest of FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
May 19, 2025
5th Circ. Tosses FCC Workplace Diversity Reporting Rule

The Fifth Circuit on Monday threw out a Federal Communications Commission rule that required TV and radio broadcasters to disclose employment diversity data to the FCC.
May 19, 2025
Ex-CTA Worker Can Take Vaccine Bias Claim To Trial

An ex-Chicago Transit Authority employee fired after refusing COVID-19 vaccination can take his religious discrimination claim to a jury this summer after an Illinois federal judge grilled the agency Monday on its assertion that the plaintiff didn't seek an exemption for sincerely held religious beliefs and rejected its argument that he was "cherry-picking" Catholic doctrine.
May 19, 2025
DOJ To Probe Whether Chicago's Hiring Is Too Pro-Black

The head of the U.S. Department of Justice' civil rights arm said Monday she greenlighted an investigation into whether Chicago is unlawfully favoring Black workers in hiring, a day after the city's Democratic mayor touted the number of Black staffers in his administration.
May 19, 2025
NC Doctors Can't Block Pay Changes Amid Legal Challenge

A group of anesthesiologists can't stop their governing board from imposing changes to their compensation while they sue for breach of contract, a state business court judge ruled Monday, finding the doctors have other ways of obtaining relief that negate the need for an injunction.
May 19, 2025
Feds Say Unions' Downsizing Suit Should Be Tossed

The Trump administration urged a federal judge in D.C. to toss a lawsuit challenging three federal downsizing initiatives, arguing that the claims brought by labor unions representing federal employees belong before the agency charged with adjudicating such disputes.
May 19, 2025
Ex-CEO Accuses Omnicom Of Gender, Age Bias In Pay Suit

Omnicom paid the CEO of one of its agencies less than her male counterparts and fired her under the pretext of a restructuring when she complained, the former executive told a Texas federal court, alleging the marketing and communications firm discriminated against her because she's a woman in her 60s.
May 19, 2025
Ex-Workers Want Mercer Global's Info Theft Suit Tossed

Two former employees and their new company have asked a Georgia federal court to dismiss wealth management firm Mercer Global Advisors' lawsuit accusing them of stealing confidential information to unlawfully solicit clients and transfer $90 million to their new business.
May 19, 2025
Taxpayer Data Increasingly At Risk From DOGE, Court Told

A group of unions and advocacy organizations trying to block the White House's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing confidential taxpayer data told a D.C. federal court they fear the data is already being shared with federal agencies beyond the IRS.
May 19, 2025
Electric, Nuclear Valve Co. Escape Pension Dispute

A federally owned electric company and a contractor were not required to make pension fund contributions to a plumbers and steamfitters union because the contracted valve work was an exempt specialty contract, a Tennessee federal judge ruled in a lawsuit Monday.
May 19, 2025
Coast Guard Told To Revisit Forced Retirees' Service Dates

The U.S. Coast Guard can't retroactively apply a policy to speculate that a class of 200-plus service members who were involuntarily retired through an unlawful process would have been involuntarily retired anyway, a Court of Federal Claims judge said Friday.
May 19, 2025
NCAA Defends Latest NIL Deal Revisions In Bid For Approval

Contrary to claims by some athletes that they will be harmed by roster limitations in a proposed $2.78 billion name, image and likeness settlement, the NCAA has told a California federal judge the latest changes will ensure "beyond a doubt" those athletes are treated fairly.
May 19, 2025
Atty Says Texas Firm Fired Her For Taking Protected Leave

A former associate at a prominent Texas personal injury firm who claims she was fired after she took medical leave for a disabling eye condition and bereavement leave upon her mother's death has brought a disability discrimination suit against the firm and associated entities in federal court in Houston.
May 19, 2025
Ex-Seton Hall President Says University Seeks To 'Muzzle' Him

Seton Hall University's former president told a New Jersey state court that he should be allowed to take part in an investigation into whether the school's current president knew of sexual abuse allegations and failed to report them.
May 19, 2025
'Self-Dealing' Ex-CEO Must Lose Theft Case, Biotech Says

The fired CEO of a Wyoming-based flavoring and aromas business engaged in "clear self-dealing" by transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars to himself after refusing to work, the company said Monday in seeking summary judgment in its Connecticut lawsuit against him.
May 19, 2025
Split DC Circ. Pauses Halt On Trump's Union Rights Order

A divided D.C. Circuit panel greenlighted President Donald Trump's request to pause a lower court decision that blocked the implementation of an executive order aimed at ending collective bargaining rights for federal employees, concluding the injunction ruling "ties the government's hands."

Expert Analysis

What To Expect In Higher Ed Enforcement Under Trump

Colleges and universities should prepare for shifting priorities, as President-elect Donald Trump is likely to focus less on antitrust cases and more on foreign relations policy, while congressional oversight of higher education continues to increase, say attorneys at Steptoe.
Series

NY Banking Brief: All The Notable Legal Updates In Q4

In 2024's final quarter, the New York State Department of Financial Services published guidance on mitigating the rising cybersecurity risks of artificial intelligence and remote technology workers with North Korean ties, and the state attorney general launched an antitrust investigation into Capital One's proposed Discover merger, say attorneys at Haynes Boone.
How Trial Attys Can Wield Amended Federal Evidence Rules

Trial lawyers should assess recent amendments to four Federal Rules of Evidence and a newly enacted rule on illustrative aids to determine how to best use the rules to enhance pretrial discovery and trial strategy, says Stewart Edelstein, former litigation chair at Cohen & Wolf.
Series

Exercising On My Peloton Bike Makes Me A Better Lawyer

While I originally came to the Peloton bike for exercise, one cycling instructor’s teachings have come to serve as a road map for practicing law thoughtfully and mindfully, which has opened opportunities for growth and change in my career, says Andrea Kirshenbaum at Littler.
Lessons From United's Axed Win In Firing Over Online Pics

In Wawrzenski v. United Airlines, a California state appeals court revived a flight attendant’s suit over her termination for linking photos of herself in uniform to her OnlyFans account, providing a cautionary tale for employers navigating the complexities of workplace policy enforcement in the digital age, say attorneys at ArentFox Schiff.
3 Factors Affecting Retail M&A Deals In 2025

Retailers considering mergers and acquisitions this year face an evolving antitrust environment, including a new administration under President-elect Donald Trump, revised merger guidelines and a precedent set last year by a canceled $8.5 billion handbag merger, say attorneys at DLA Piper.
How Trump Admin May Approach AI In The Workplace

Key indicators suggest that the incoming Trump administration will adopt a deregulatory approach to artificial intelligence, allowing states to fill the void, so it is critical that employers pay close attention to developing legal authority concerning AI tools, say attorneys at Littler.
Top 10 Legal Issues This Year For Transportation Industry GCs

General counsel must carefully consider numerous legal and policy challenges facing the automotive and transportation industry in the year to come, especially while navigating new technologies, regulations and global markets, says Francesco Liberatore at Squire Patton.
Exploring Venue Strategy For Trump-Era Regulatory Litigation

Litigation will likely play a prominent role in shaping policy outcomes during the second Trump administration, and stakeholders have several tools at their disposal to steer regulatory litigation toward more favorable venues, say attorneys at Covington.
What 2024's Noncompete Turmoil Means For Banks In 2025

A look back at the most significant legal challenges to the enforceability of various restrictive covenants like noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements in 2024 can help financial institutions address the use of these critical tools this year, say attorneys at Maynard Nexsen.
Lessons Learned From 2024's Top FMLA Decisions

Last year's major litigation related to the Family and Medical Leave Act underscores why it is critical for employers to understand the basics of when leave and accommodations are required, say attorneys at Dechert.
New Year, New Risks: 8 Top Cyber Issues For Finance In 2025

As financial institutions forge ahead in 2025, they must strike a delicate balance between embracing technological innovation and guarding against its darker threats, which this year could include everything from supply chain vulnerabilities to deepfakes, say attorneys at Baker Donelson.
Lessons Learned From 2024's Top ADA Decisions

Last year's major litigation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act highlights that when dealing with accommodation requests, employers must communicate clearly, appreciate context and remain flexible in addressing needs, say attorneys at Dechert.
Series

Playing Esports Makes Me A Better Lawyer

Competing in a global esports tournament at Wimbledon last year not only fulfilled my childhood dream, but also sharpened skills that are essential to my day job, including strategic thinking, confidence and networking, says AJ Schuyler at Jackson Lewis.
Lessons From The SEC's 2024 Crackdown On AI Washing

AI washing was the subject of increased scrutiny from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2024 following a surge in the commercial adoption of generative artificial intelligence technologies in 2023, highlighting the importance of transparency, accuracy and accountability when communicating about AI, say attorneys at Perkins Coie.