Key U.S. District Court Ruling: Plaintiff’s Challenge to DEI Program Under Section 1981 Fails When She Lacked Standing Because She Did Not Apply

The America First Legal Foundation, which filed suit on behalf of the plaintiff, included this action on its website as one of its “featured actions” in the “DEI” space. This case is similar to many other challenges to DEI programs in that the lawsuit was being brought by a plaintiff who has not applied to the program at issue. All told, the court found that the plaintiff did not have standing to bring a claim derived from an allegedly discriminatory policy from which she had yet to be subjected. The plaintiff has appealed to the Fifth Circuit. As these cases continue to unfold — at the trial level and on appeal — organizations should be prepared to assert standing defenses when it becomes clear that a plaintiff did not take these affirmative steps.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Key U.S. District Court Ruling: Plaintiff’s Challenge to DEI Program Under Section 1981 Fails When She Lacked Standing Because She Did Not Apply

Although the ruling has been appealed, plaintiffs bringing challenges to organizational DEI programs face standing concerns when they do not apply for or otherwise attempt to participate in those programs. As these cases continue to unfold, organizations should be prepared to assert standing defenses when it becomes clear that a plaintiff did not take these affirmative steps.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Under New York Law, Trade Secret Damages Must Reflect Plaintiff’s Actual Loss, Not Just Defendant’s Wrongful Gain

A recent trade secret case from New York highlights the importance of how damages are calculated and emphasizes the need to conform those damages calculations to the applicable standards in your jurisdiction.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

State & Local Employment Law Developments: Q1 2024

State and local governments continue to increase workplace regulations. Although it is not feasible to discuss all laws, this update provides an overview of significant recent and upcoming legislative and regulatory developments to help you and your organization stay in compliance with local and state employment laws.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Federal Court Strikes Down NLRB’s New Joint Employer Rule, Leaving 2020 Rule in Place for Now

The 2023 rule, which was set to take effect on March 11, would have expanded the joint employer test to include reserved and indirect control — potentially exposing franchisors to claims that their franchise agreements and brand standards make them joint employers of their franchisee’s employees for purposes of collective bargaining and labor disputes. The federal district court concluded that the 2023 rule is unlawful because it would expand joint employment beyond the outer limits set by the common-law definition of employment. Other courts are likely to weigh in. The NLRB may appeal to the Fifth Circuit. A parallel suit brought by the Service Employees International Union regarding the scope of the 2023 rule is currently pending before the D.C. Circuit. Either or both of those cases may ultimately go to the U.S. Supreme Court. We conclude with two relevant handouts that identify franchisors’ best practices.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

State & Local Employment Law Developments: Q4 2023

As we witnessed in the first, second and third quarters of 2023, state and local governments continued to increase workplace regulations in the fourth quarter of the year. Read our update for an overview of recent and upcoming legislative developments to help you and your organization stay in compliance.

Continue reading “State & Local Employment Law Developments: Q4 2023”

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