Human Rights

Conference brings together panelists to discuss ensuring a better tomorrow for all

In the wake of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Rights of Immigrants Committee, in strategic partnership with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, is hosting a policy summit designed to advance racial equity and social justice principles.

Nov 9, 2020 2:26 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Latham will pay fall bonuses; Reagan shooter may display artwork, judge rules

Latham will pay fall bonuses, donate $1M to fight hunger Latham & Watkins has announced that it will pay fall bonuses ranging from $7,500 to $40,000—the market scale for law firms that are paying the special bonuses. The firm also plans to donate $1 million to fight hunger and to…

Oct 29, 2020 4:15 PM CDT

Chemerinsky: SCOTUS considers whether religious freedom also means freedom to discriminate

On Nov. 4, the U.S. Supreme Court again will face one of the country’s most divisive constitutional issues: Does the First Amendment’s protection of speech and religion provide a basis for violating laws that prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians?

Oct 29, 2020 10:27 AM CDT

University of Chicago Law School celebrates Earl Dickerson’s legacy as a civil rights lawyer and activist

Earl B. Dickerson’s name may not be well known to the public, but the civil rights lawyer lived a larger-than-life existence. Now, scholars, relatives and activists are marking the 100th anniversary of his 1920 graduation from the University of Chicago Law School in celebration of his becoming the first African American to receive a juris doctor.

Oct 28, 2020 10:13 AM CDT

Former Davis Polk associate may pursue retaliation claim, judge says; other racial bias claims tossed

A federal judge in Manhattan has ruled that a Black former associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell can pursue a retaliation claim against three partners, but many of his other racial bias claims were inadequate.

Oct 27, 2020 1:36 PM CDT

Sexual misconduct suit by BigLaw firm’s former legal assistant is mostly dismissed

A federal judge in New Jersey has mostly dismissed a lawsuit by a former legal assistant at Fox Rothschild, who claimed that a now-fired lawyer tried to sexually assault her.

Oct 23, 2020 12:24 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Secretaries get extra bonuses at this law firm; AG Barr warns of liberal DAs

Secretaries at this law firm get extra bonuses; associates left out Goodwin Procter will pay an extra $1,000 to all secretaries to recognize “hard work during these challenging times,” according to an internal email obtained by two legal publications. The law firm won’t be paying special bonuses to associates, however.…

Oct 19, 2020 1:34 PM CDT

Attorney urges other lawyers to use outrage over George Floyd’s death to demand policing reforms

Speaking on what would have been George Floyd’s 47th birthday, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump urged attendees of the annual Clio Cloud Conference on Wednesday to use the widespread outrage generated by Floyd’s death at the hands of law enforcement to demand policing reforms.

Oct 14, 2020 3:25 PM CDT

Thomas and Alito blast same-sex marriage decision as SCOTUS declines Kentucky clerk’s case

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. on Monday blasted the high court’s 2015 decision finding a constitutional right to same-sex marriage for its “cavalier treatment" of religious objections to such unions.

Oct 5, 2020 1:45 PM CDT

How losing RBG could shape criminal justice for years to come

Juvenile lifers, victims of police misconduct and immigrants convicted of minor crimes are among those with a lot at stake before the changing court

Sep 25, 2020 10:11 AM CDT

ABA leads effort to recruit lawyers as poll workers to ensure ‘free and fair elections’

The ABA launched the Poll Worker, Esq. initiative to mobilize lawyers to assist as poll workers in the upcoming 2020 election.

Sep 23, 2020 2:00 PM CDT

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Friday from complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas, the Supreme Court has announced. NPR reports that she dictated to her granddaughter Clara Spera this message: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."

Sep 18, 2020 6:44 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Self-driving car crash leads to charge; ABA center will monitor trial of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero

Backup driver for self-driving car is charged after crash death A backup driver for an Uber self-driving test vehicle has been charged with negligent homicide for a March 2018 crash that killed a homeless woman. Rafael Vasquez, 46, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Maricopa County, Arizona. Police in Tempe, Arizona,…

Sep 18, 2020 3:01 PM CDT

No bathroom break allowed? Suit says rules for remote bar exam discriminate against disabled grads

A lawsuit by law graduates who have disabilities says they will be forced to take the California bar exam in person because of a failure to provide accommodations for a remote test.

Sep 16, 2020 9:39 AM CDT

Unusual nuisance law cited in suit for Tulsa massacre reparations; one plaintiff is 105

A lawsuit filed in Oklahoma this week seeks damages for a continuing nuisance stemming from the 1921 Tulsa massacre in an affluent neighborhood known as the Black Wall Street.

Sep 4, 2020 12:27 PM CDT