Indiana is in the news for passing a religious freedom law that many perceive to be a law that promotes discrimination against homosexuals. In Michigan, however, it remains legal to discriminate against Gays and Lesbians in employment, housing, education or providing services. We already have a law that protects people from religious discrimination.
Film Explores Sexual Violence on College Campuses and Institutional Responses
The film "Hunting Ground" has been sparking debate and discussion since it premiered at the Sundance film festival this January. The film features campus assault survivors as they fight back for institutional reform - from political protest to legal strategies under Title IX law. The University of Michigan is featured among the many colleges across the country currently under investigation by the Department of Education regarding response to campus sexual misconduct. Thank you to the Michigan Theater for bringing this film to Ann Arbor for a limited engagement April 3 - 5, 2015.
Sixth Circuit Delivers a Big Win for Cable and Satellite Installers Seeking Overtime Pay
Cable and Satellite installers are often categorized as "independent contractors" in the industry - a label that leads to a profound impact on their employment rights, including routine denial of overtime pay. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, however, whether an installer is an employee entitled to overtime pay is determined not by any label used by the employer but rather the economic realities of the situation.
Supreme Court Sides with Pregnant Worker
The United States Supreme Court made it easier for pregnant workers to prove discrimination cases, ruling for the plaintiff in Peggy Young vs. United Parcel Service on March 25, 2015. Ms. Young was a driver for UPS who, after becoming pregnant, had a lifting restriction imposed by her physician. UPS refused to accommodate her restriction, and Ms. Young filed suit. The trial court had dismissed Ms. Young's case before trial, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that dismissal. Ms. Young then appealed to the Supreme Court.
We're Expanding and Hiring
We are happy to announce new growth. We need more staff to meet the needs of Michigan's workers confront the legal and employment issues they face. With additional attorneys and staff we look forward to helping the workers of Michigan on employment issues; from discrimination and harassment to overtime pay and medical leave issues, defending against overreaching non-competes and negotiating employment contracts and severance packages.
Jury: Pharrell, Thicke Plagiarized
In a bizarre decision, a judge allowed a jury to decide whether the popular 'Blurred Lines' song was plagiarized without letting the jury listen to the earlier song.
Aviso judicial para demandantes potenciales en el caso de horas extras de "A-Plus"
La corte federal del distrito en Michigan ha aprobado la "certificación condicional" en un caso de horas extras y salarios no pagados, y ha establecido una fecha límite del 10 de abril de 2015 para los demandantes potenciales unirse al caso para buscar los salarios no pagados en virtud de la ley de Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Court Approves Judicial Notice for Potential Claimants in "A-Plus" Overtime Case
The federal district court in Michigan has approved "conditional certification" in an overtime and unpaid wage case, and has established an April 10, 2015 deadline for potential claimants to join the case and seek unpaid wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Scientist Sues PubPeer Commenters
Nick Roumel and Ned Macey represent Dr. Fazlul Sarkar, a Wayne State cancer researcher, who has filed suit against anonymous persons who have taken to the internet - and beyond - in an effort to destroy Dr. Sarkar's career. They have falsely accused him of research misconduct on an anonymous website, sabotaged a tenured job with the University of Mississippi, and forged documents alleging that Dr. Sarkar was subject to a US Senate investigation. In order to learn the identity of the defendant or defendants, Dr. Sarkar has subpoenaed the website they post on, "PubPeer." PubPeer is fighting the subpoena and claiming that First Amendment privilege prevents them from releasing information to the plaintiff that will permit him to pursue his lawsuit.
