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Cleveland County Judge Rules State Board’s Decision Against Transgender Student Unconstitutional

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NORMAN, Okla. — A judge in Cleveland County has declared that the Oklahoma State Board of Education’s (OSBE) decision to downgrade the accreditation status of Norman Public Schools infringed upon the constitutional rights of a transgender student. The ruling underscores a developing conflict between state policy and individual civil liberties. In his decision, District Judge Thad Balkman determined that the OSBE’s actions were directed specifically at a policy adopted by the school district intended to protect transgender students’ rights. This policy allows transgender students to use bathroom facilities that correspond with their gender identity. Norman … Read more

Judges Uphold Majority of Changes to North Carolina Government Boards in Legal Battle with Governor

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RALEIGH, N.C. – The recent decision by a bipartisan group of Superior Court judges in North Carolina has yielded mixed reactions. While Gov. Roy Cooper and his legal team have expressed strong opposition to the changes, the judges have upheld most of the new state laws regarding appointments to government boards and commissions. The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel determined that the Republican-led General Assembly had the authority to make these changes within the parameters set by state law. The newly constituted state boards cover a range of important topics, including the environment, wildlife, … Read more

Federal Judge Blocks National Labor Relations Board’s Expansion of Joint Employment Definition, Protecting Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships

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Houston, Texas – A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from implementing a new rule that would expand the definition of joint employment. The ruling comes one day before the rule was set to take effect. The regulation, which aimed to increase franchisors’ responsibility for labor violations committed by their franchisees and require both entities to negotiate with employee unions, was challenged in court by a coalition of business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Franchise Association, the Restaurant Law Center, and the Texas Restaurant … Read more

Tennessee Urges Dismissal of Lawsuit Challenging Medical Board’s Diversity Regulations

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Nashville, Tennessee – The state of Tennessee is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging its laws on diversity within medical boards. Supporters of the laws argue that they help ensure patients receive quality care from a diverse group of healthcare professionals. However, critics claim that the laws violate the constitutional rights of doctors by forcing them to disclose their demographics. Tennessee is one of several states that have enacted laws requiring medical licensing boards to include a certain level of diversity among their members. The goal of these laws is to promote equity in … Read more