United States: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A White male plaintiff has filed a lawsuit against Edward Jones, challenging the company's "Goodknight" diversity program that allegedly incentivizes financial advisors to transition clients to female or other diverse advisors. The case represents one of several recent reverse discrimination lawsuits targeting corporate DEI initiatives, raising questions about the legal boundaries of workplace diversity programs under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Human resources departments are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence to streamline operations, but this technological shift raises critical questions about algorithmic fairness and representation. When AI development remains concentrated among a handful of companies and excludes diverse perspectives, can these tools truly serve all employees equitably? The intersection of machine learning and workplace diversity reveals troubling patterns that demand immediate attention from HR professionals.

In this episode of The Founder's Hour, hosts Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner are joined by Julie Levinson Werner, partner and Vice Chair of Lowenstein’s Employment practice, to discuss the legal and practical considerations founders face as they begin building a workforce.

A federal lawsuit challenges Texas A&M University System's classroom-content policy, alleging it unconstitutionally restricts faculty instruction on race, gender, and sexual orientation. The case follows the Eleventh Circuit's decision on Florida's Stop WOKE Act and raises critical questions about viewpoint discrimination, academic freedom, and the boundaries between legitimate curricular oversight and unconstitutional restrictions on classroom speech.

Two Lowenstein Sandler attorneys share their personal experiences navigating divorce while working in demanding law firm environments. They discuss the delicate balance between privacy and transparency, the importance of support systems, and strategies for maintaining professional performance during one of life's most challenging transitions.

Patsy Doerr, Chief People & Culture Officer at LRN, joins Lowenstein Sandler's Real Talk podcast to share her extensive experience in driving inclusive leadership initiatives and building ethical workplace cultures across global organizations. The conversation explores her career journey and the critical elements needed to advance inclusion, talent development, and leadership in today's corporate environment.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted on June 30 to rescind its approximately 40-year-old interpretive guidance, Affirmative Action Appropriate Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended.

The US Department of Justice has launched investigations into corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at PayPal and IBM, using novel applications of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and False Claims Act. These enforcement actions signal a significant shift in regulatory scrutiny of DEI initiatives, particularly those involving financial services, federal contracts, and credit-related activities.

Nineteen state attorneys general and the District of Columbia have filed suit to block federal implementation of Executive Order 14398, which prohibits federal contractors from engaging in what the administration deems...