Law Alerts
We cultivate a collaborative, inclusive culture where our team shares knowledge and stays informed on legal developments. We value diversity, as different perspectives strengthen our ability to solve problems and advocate effectively. Beyond our legal services, we prioritize building relationships through internal events that promote camaraderie and a positive environment. This culture empowers us to deliver exceptional legal services and contributions to our clients and communities.
Law Alerts
EEOC Issues New Guidance Document on Leaves of Absence and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
By Robbins Schwartz |
On May 9, 2016, the EEOC released a new guidance document addressing leaves of absence as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance was issued…
New DOE Guidance on Transgender Students in Schools, Colleges and Universities
By Robbins Schwartz |
On May 13, 2016 the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division issued new guidance clarifying the duties of schools, colleges and…
Giving Rectal Diastat During A Seizure Is Not A Reasonable Accommodation
By Robbins Schwartz |
On March 2, 2016, after a two-week trial, Judge Zagel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois held in United States Department of Justice v. Northern…
Fourth Circuit Appeal Court Directs Trial Court to Defer to OCR Definition of Sex in Deciding Transgender Student’s Restroom Access Request
By Robbins Schwartz |
On April 19, 2016, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals became the first Appeals Court to address whether or not Title IX requires schools to provide transgender students access to…
Supreme Court Decision Potentially Broadens First Amendment Protections for Public Employees
By Robbins Schwartz |
On April 26, 2016, in Heffernan v. City of Paterson, New Jersey, the United States Supreme Court held that where an employer demoted an employee out of a desire to prevent the…
Planning for Future RIFs: May 10 Deadline for Job Descriptions
By Robbins Schwartz |
While the 2015-2016 teacher RIF season is coming to an end, planning for the 2016-2017 RIF season is just beginning. In particular, the May 10th deadline for updating your school…
EEOC Institutes New Employee-Friendly Discrimination Charge Procedures
By Robbins Schwartz |
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has recently implemented employee-friendly procedures that will impact how an employer responds to charges of discrimination. The new rules provide that: The EEOC,…
Wait – When Will This Teacher Accrue Tenure??
By Robbins Schwartz |
Many questions have arisen regarding the tenure accrual process under the School Code, which changes for teachers first employed on a full-time basis after a school district’s PERA Implementation Date [1]. …
DOL ISSUES NEW, BROADER DEFINITION OF “JOINT EMPLOYMENT”
By Robbins Schwartz |
On January 20, 2016, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued “Administrator’s Interpretation No. 2016-1” (“AI”) advising employers that the DOL uses, in its enforcement efforts, a broad definition…
