Disability Law

Barrett is among 4 justices who would have blocked execution of inmate seeking death by nitrogen hypoxia

An Alabama inmate who sought execution by nitrogen hypoxia was put to death by lethal injection Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the execution to proceed.

Jan 28, 2022 11:30 AM CST

8th Circuit rules for parents seeking school mask mandates because of their children’s disabilities

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that an Iowa law banning mask mandates at public schools shouldn’t be read to prevent masks when needed to accommodate children’s disabilities.

Jan 26, 2022 8:40 AM CST

August Hieber helps create access to legal services for older LGBT adults

August Hieber created Proud to Thrive, the first program in Chicago specifically designed to provide culturally responsive legal advocacy to LGBT older adults. Hieber recognized this population is less likely to access resources because of past experiences with discrimination and worked with the Center for Disability & Elder Law to host legal clinics and train other legal professionals on how to offer services.

Dec 14, 2021 1:19 PM CST

Guardianship battles in the spotlight spark new calls for reform

Guardianship, also called conservatorship, is a term used when state law grants an individual decision-making power over an adult deemed incompetent or a minor child. A court-appointed guardian’s control is often limitless and can include power over their person and/or property.

Dec 1, 2021 3:00 AM CST

Weekly Briefs: New charges against lawyer accused of staging his shooting; Christian florist settles

Suspended lawyer Alex Murdaugh faces new charges

Suspended South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, previously charged in an alleged scheme to have himself killed for insurance money, is facing 27…

Nov 19, 2021 4:14 PM CST

DOJ suit claims voting law in Texas harms those who need ballot assistance, seek mail-in ballots

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas on Thursday that challenges provisions of its new voting law.

Nov 5, 2021 10:46 AM CDT

Has COVID-19 made the workplace more accessible for lawyers with disabilities?

Since March 2020, most law firms and legal organizations have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing their employees to work remotely and transition to more flexible hours. For some lawyers with disabilities, teleworking has brought significant benefits, including increased access to their clients and colleagues and to more job opportunities.

Oct 26, 2021 10:45 AM CDT

Judge reprimands Littler Mendelson for ‘baseless legal and factual statements’ in disability bias case

A federal judge in Phoenix has formally reprimanded Littler Mendelson for “baseless legal and factual statements” made in a court document while defending DISH Network in a disability bias case.

Oct 7, 2021 11:58 AM CDT

New ABA ethics opinion clarifies obligations for language access in lawyer-client relationships

Attorneys often must take affirmative steps to ensure that they can communicate effectively with clients with limited English proficiency or with those with noncognitive physical disabilities, such as a hearing or a speech impairment.

Oct 6, 2021 10:03 AM CDT

ABA internship for law students with disabilities spurs young lawyer’s work at IT company

Lawyer Derek Bolka credits an American Bar Association internship for kick-starting his career at Accenture, an information technology services company, where he is now an inaugural fellow of a legal program for lawyers with disabilities.

Oct 5, 2021 11:40 AM CDT

Lawsuits challenging new voting restrictions in Texas cite these constitutional protections

A new voter fraud law in Texas is being challenged in at least five lawsuits contending that the law unconstitutionally burdens the right to vote and violates the Voting Rights Act.

Sep 9, 2021 9:24 AM CDT

Denying disability benefits to Puerto Rico residents violates equal protection rights, ABA amicus brief says

The ABA filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday arguing that denying disability benefits to residents of Puerto Rico violates the equal protection clause.

Sep 8, 2021 12:40 PM CDT

9th Circuit orders lower court to review decision over accessibility at baseball stadium

A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled in favor of plaintiffs who alleged that spectators using wheelchairs at T-Mobile Park, the home of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball team, had inadequate sightlines under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sep 3, 2021 9:14 AM CDT

Education Department opens investigations on states prohibiting school masking requirements

States with laws that prohibit indoor masking requirements, including at schools, might discriminate against students at risk for severe illness if they contract the COVID-19 virus, according to an Aug. 30 news release from the U.S. Department of Education.

Aug 30, 2021 2:12 PM CDT

Britney Spears succeeds in move to hire own lawyer in conservatorship case

Britney Spears has won the right to hire her own lawyer after accusing her father of “conservatorship abuse.”

Jul 15, 2021 9:40 AM CDT