Advocacy Groups Sue Alabama Officials Over Restrictive Voting Bill, Citing Constitutional Violations and Disproportionate Impact

Birmingham, Alabama – Several advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against Alabama state officials, challenging a recently enacted law that restricts access to voting. The groups argue that Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which criminalizes certain engagement measures related to absentee ballots, directly targets and penalizes activities that enable broader voting rights. Signed into law last month, SB 1 makes it illegal to request or collect absentee ballots for anyone other than close relatives. It also criminalizes filling out or mailing an application or ballot on behalf of someone else. The bill specifically targets Alabamians … Read more

Florida Supreme Court Upholds 15-Week Abortion Ban, Setting Stage for More Restrictive Six-Week Ban

Miami, Florida – The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the state’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks, paving the way for an even more restrictive ban after just six weeks of pregnancy. This ruling, which was passed with a 6-1 vote, allows the six-week ban that was passed last year to take effect within 30 days, significantly reducing access to abortion services in Florida. In 2022, Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a law banning abortions in the state after 15 weeks, which was subsequently signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. The law prohibits abortions … Read more

Rising Opposition to Restrictive Covenant Agreements Sparks Federal and State Actions: Impact on Companies and Employees Revealed

MILWAUKEE, WI – The use of restrictive covenant agreements by companies to safeguard their business interests is facing scrutiny from federal and state governments. Despite bipartisan efforts in Congress falling short, federal agencies and state legislatures are actively pursuing measures to limit the implementation of such agreements. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) released their Antitrust Guidance for Human Resource Professionals, focusing on no-poaching and wage-fixing agreements that fall under antitrust law. This guidance allowed employers to defend their restrictive covenants by proving the necessity of protecting legitimate business … Read more

Confusing Exceptions in Restrictive Abortion Laws Raise Concerns for Doctors Nationwide

Bismarck, North Dakota – A recent decision by a judge in North Dakota to reject a request blocking part of the state’s strict abortion law has highlighted an ongoing issue facing doctors nationwide. The vague language and exceptions in these laws often leave medical providers uncertain about when they can perform an abortion in a medical emergency. Consequently, advocates are increasingly filing lawsuits to clarify and expand the circumstances under which doctors can provide abortions during emergencies in states with strict abortion bans. Prof. Mary Ziegler from the University of California, Davis, noted that physicians … Read more