Green stylized overlapping P and L logo
In Perkins Coie LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice et al, 2025 WL 1276857 (D.D.C. May 2, 2025), the court, in a lengthy opinion based on foundational constitutional principles and an ode to the Rule of Law, held that Executive Order 14230, 90 Fed. Reg. 11781 (Mar. 11, 2025), entitled “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie…
Read More Court Declares Executive Order 14230 Unconstitutional
Manhattan skyline at sunset with Empire State
In Lax et al v. City University of New York et al, No. 504682/2021, 2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 50919(U), 2024 WL 3449207 (Sup Ct Kings Cty June 28, 2024), the court, inter alia, granted defendant CUNY’s motion to dismiss defendants’ (cross) claims of First Amendment retaliation. The court summarized, and applied, the law as follows:…
Read More First Amendment Retaliation Claims Dismissed Against CUNY
Smiling man in suit with striped yellow tie
In Vail v. The Town of Cayuta et al, 2021 WL 1788523 (WDNY May 5, 2021), the court held that plaintiff (a public employee and candidate for public office) plausibly alleged a First Amendment retaliation claim. This decision is instructive as to when speech is “on a matter of public concern”, which it must be…
Read More First Amendment Retaliation Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss; Sign-Removal Accusation Was a “Matter of Public Concern” Manhattan skyline at sunset with Empire State
In Triana v. Sodexo, Inc., 2018 WL 6413151, at *7 (S.D.N.Y., 2018), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s First Amendment retaliation claim. The court provides the following summary of the relevant law: Where a plaintiff claims that he or she was retaliated against in violation of the First Amendment, he or she must demonstrate that “(1)…
Read More First Amendment Retaliation Claim Dismissed
Close-up of White House on US dollar
In Gordon v. City of New York, 14-545-cv (2d Cir. 2015), the Second Circuit affirmed, in a summary order, the dismissal of plaintiffs’ First Amendment retaliation and hostile work environment claims. The facts, as summarized by the court: While working as emergency medical technicians (“EMTs”) for the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”), plaintiffs Tomeko…
Read More Second Circuit: No Hostile Work Environment Where Black Woman and White Male Were Subjected to Similar Treatment
New York City skyline at sunset
When many people think of sexual harassment, they likely think of a man sexually harassing their female subordinate. However, sexual harassment works both ways – i.e., the harasser, as well as the victim. That was the case in Hasper v. County of Suffolk, decided by the Eastern District of New York on Feb. 25, 2015. There,…
Read More Treating Male and Female Sexual Harassment Victims Differently Creates Factual Issue on Title VII Gender Discrimination Claim
Smiling business headshot of man in pink tie
Yesterday, in Ross v. Lichtenfeld et al., the Second Circuit (WALKER, Leval, Pooler) held that a government clerk’s claim of First Amendment retaliation should have been dismissed, because she was speaking pursuant to her official duties. The Court applied the rule of Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006), that “when public employees make statements…
Read More Second Circuit Dismisses First Amendment Retaliation Claim