Free Newsletter
Employment – Suit over Covid face masks was filed too late
The 4th Circuit affirmed dismissal of a raytheon suit alleging religious discrimination over covid mask policies, ruling the claims were filed after the statute of limitations.
Free speech and whistleblower claims dismissed in edva high school teacher suit
Zenaida Perez's free speech and whistleblower claims against Fairfax County School Board were dismissed by the EDVA court due to immunity and insufficient allegations.
4th Circuit: Employer’s comp program doesn’t fall under ERISA
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Merrill Lynch’s WealthChoice Awards do not qualify as an employee pension benefit plan under ERISA.
Employment – Failure to exhaust administrative remedies dooms Title VII suit
Avala Rose's Title VII suit was dismissed by the 4th Circuit for failure to exhaust administrative remedies after missing the 15-day filing deadline.
US agency sues New York Times, accusing it of bias against white male employee
The EEOC sued the New York Times alleging violation of Title VII by passing over a white male employee for promotion due to diversity policies.
Employment – Correctional officer’s suit is dismissed
The western district of Virginia dismissed correctional officer Nancy Crockett’s claims of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment under the Rehabilitation Act and Title VII.
Employment- Class certified in suit over religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia certified a class of UVA Health employees denied religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
Employment- No retaliation where decisionmaker was unaware of protected activities
The Virginia Western District Court granted summary judgment on VHRA retaliation claims where the decisionmaker was unaware of protected activities in Brake v. Liberty University.
Labor- Bonus plan is exempt from ERIA
The 4th Circuit affirmed dismissal of an ERISA suit, ruling Merrill Lynch's WealthChoice Award plan is exempt as a bonus plan under DOL regulations.
Labor Department proposes nationwide joint-employer standard
The U.S. Department of Labor proposes a unified joint-employer test under the FLSA, FMLA, and MSPA to clarify liability across federal wage and hour laws.
What HR leaders need to know about EEOC enforcement priorities
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released its FY 2027 Agency Performance Plan detailing enforcement priorities and compliance expectations.
Employment – Court lacks jurisdiction over former IRS employee’s claims
The edva dismissed employment claims by former IRS employee Rebecca Thornock, finding the civil service reform act divests jurisdiction over such cases.
Legal Tech
- How large language models are leveling the personal injury playing field
- Attorney Share, Lawmatics integrate to automate law firm referrals
- How ransomware tactics against law firms are changing
Verdicts & Settlements
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Motorcyclist suffers severe injuries in vehicle accident
- Medical Malpractice – Patient dies after alleged improper medicine admin
- Workers’ Compensation-Vehicle accident paralyzes Brazilian cement worker
- Medical Malpractice – Death from cancer followed stomach pain misdiagnosis
- Workers’ Compensation – Seasonal worker paralyzed in tobacco baler accident
Opinion Digests
- Criminal – Defendant convicted based upon Commonwealth witnesses’ testimony
- Zoning – Party failed to show its due process rights were violated
- Tort – Jury’s zero-damages verdict for inmate plaintiff affirmed
- Parent and child – Record supported termination of mother’s parental rights
- Criminal – Man convicted of grand larceny after stealing $26,000
- Parent and child – Brothers dispute who should be their mother’s guardian
- Tort – Allegedly defamatory statements lacked the requisite “sting”
