Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse
14th March 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Judge orders reinstatement of fired workers
The Trump administration has been ordered to reinstate thousands of probationary workers who were terminated in mass firings across various federal agencies. U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said that the terminations were executed by a personnel office lacking the authority to do so. Alsup said: “It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie.” The ruling follows a lawsuit from a coalition of labor unions and organizations amid widespread concerns over the administration's approach to downsizing the federal workforce. The judge has mandated that the affected agencies report back within seven days with a list of the terminated employees and compliance details. Approximately 200,000 probationary workers are employed across federal agencies.
LAW
Disbarred lawyer sentenced for fraud
Richard Louis Crosby III, a disbarred lawyer from Ohio, has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for using multiple fake identities to secure high-paying legal jobs. Posing as “Richard Williams,” he falsely claimed to have worked at the prestigious law firm Kirkland & Ellis during a July 2023 interview. His fraudulent activities included creating fake email addresses and forging documents to support his claims. Despite being disbarred and facing criminal charges for stealing client funds, Crosby managed to obtain six-figure roles across several states. His deception unraveled when a child support investigator contacted one of his employers, leading to his arrest. 
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Duke defeats part of retaliation lawsuit
Duke University has achieved a partial victory in a lawsuit filed by Freddie Foust, a Black employee who alleged retaliation after reporting racially derogatory comments made by a supervisor. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ruled that Foust had waited too long to present some of his claims to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, thus barring those allegations. However, the court found that his claims regarding Duke's failure to rehire him in retaliation for his internal complaints about racial bias were timely and could proceed.
LAWSUITS
Trump administration 'is defying court order over anti-DEI policy'
U.S. agencies are reportedly disregarding a court order that blocks President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs for federal contractors. Groups suing over the ban, including the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and the city of Baltimore, informed U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson that contractors are being pressured to accept contracts with anti-DEI language. A report by Rolling Stone indicated that Trump administration officials are instructing staff that Abelson's order is "irrelevant" and to continue enforcing the policy. The lawsuit argues that the anti-DEI policy infringes on First Amendment rights. The Trump administration claims DEI initiatives are discriminatory and violate federal civil rights law.
Ohio environmentalists lose appeal in anti-fracking lawsuit
The Ohio Court of Appeals has ruled that environmentalist groups cannot challenge the state Oil & Gas Land Management Commission's decision to permit fracking under public lands. The court determined that the commission was not engaged in a “licensing function” when it approved the land for oil and gas exploration, thus courts lack the authority to review these approvals. This ruling represents a significant setback for environmentalists, who had sought to revive their lawsuit against the commission's actions.
Girl Scouts face lawsuit over cookies
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America are facing a proposed class action lawsuit over allegations of heavy metals and pesticides in their popular cookies. Filed in Brooklyn federal court, the lawsuit cites a December 2024 study by GMO Science and Moms Across America, which found that the cookies contained harmful levels of metals such as arsenic and lead, as well as glyphosate, a pesticide. The lawsuit, led by Amy Mayo from Bayside, New York, claims that she would not have purchased the cookies had she known about the "dangerous toxins." The Girl Scouts responded, saying that "the health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority," and asserting that their products comply with food safety standards. The lawsuit seeks at least $5m in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers.
TECHNOLOGY
Wall Street warns of AI risks
Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and JPMorgan have raised the alarm about the risks associated with AI in their annual reports. The stated risks include software hallucinations, employee morale issues, and potential misuse by cybercriminals. JPMorgan highlighted that AI could lead to “workforce displacement,” impacting staff morale and retention, while also intensifying competition for skilled employees. The banks are particularly concerned about flawed AI models and new regulations that may restrict AI usage.
APPOINTMENTS
Softness comes to King & Spalding
Benjamin Softness has joined King & Spalding as a partner in its business litigation practice group in San Francisco. Previously, he served as regulatory and litigation counsel at Google, where he led teams addressing global regulatory inquiries related to generative AI.
Timothy Rusche joins McGuireWoods team
Timothy Rusche has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in its employment litigation practice in Los Angeles. He brings extensive experience in defending employers against wage-and-hour class actions, workplace harassment claims, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination. Additionally, Rusche provides guidance on workforce restructuring, wage-and-hour audits, and compliance issues. He previously worked at Seyfarth Shaw.
Daniel Crowner joins Ogletree Deakins
Daniel Crowner has joined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder in Seattle, bringing extensive experience in defending employers against complex litigation. His expertise encompasses various areas, including disability accommodations, discrimination, and wrongful termination. Crowner previously worked at Jackson Lewis and is set to enhance Ogletree's capabilities in high-exposure legal matters. 
INTERNATIONAL
Dam collapse lawsuit closes in U.K.
A London lawsuit in which more than 600,000 Brazilians, 46 local governments and around 2,000 businesses are suing mining giant BHP over Brazil's worst environmental disaster has ended with closing submissions. Nineteen people were killed when the Mariana dam in southeastern Brazil collapsed in 2015 and unleashed a wave of toxic sludge. The dam was owned by a joint venture between Vale and BHP. The lawsuit is one of the largest in English legal history and a decision is expected this summer.

 

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