United States: Discrimination, Disability & Sexual Harassment

Lowenstein attorneys and business services professionals share powerful stories of pro bono work that transformed lives and communities. From representing transgender women in federal prisons to helping clients navigate immigration, civil rights, and domestic violence cases, these legal advocates reveal the profound personal and professional impact of providing access to justice for those who need it most.

The EEOC filed only 97 merit lawsuits in fiscal year 2026, marking another year of historically low litigation activity despite regaining its quorum and new leadership under Chair Andrea Lucas. While overall filing numbers remained subdued, the composition reveals a strategic shift toward religious discrimination claims, pregnancy-related litigation, and majority-group discrimination cases that align with the Trump Administration's enforcement priorities.

Deepfakes have surged by over 900% annually, with creation costs dropping to just a few dollars and the vast majority targeting women with non-consensual intimate images. A recent LAPD case resulted in a $4 million jury award after a captain experienced sexual harassment from a circulated topless photo that wasn't even of her—demonstrating that employer liability extends to deepfakes regardless of authenticity.

Federal contractors face evolving affirmative action obligations as OFCCP eliminates disability data collection requirements while maintaining veteran reporting mandates. Employment law experts examine the regulatory changes taking effect September 21st and outline critical compliance steps contractors must take to navigate the shifting landscape of workplace diversity obligations.

A landmark class action lawsuit challenges Workday's AI-powered recruiting tools, alleging they systematically discriminate against job applicants based on race, gender, age, and disability. The plaintiffs' sweeping motion for class certification seeks to prove that algorithmic screening systems produce measurable disparities across thousands of employers, potentially reshaping how courts evaluate AI-driven employment decisions. Will the court accept that one AI engine creates common questions, or will indi

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report urging the Department of Labor to strengthen oversight of federal contractors' compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, despite DOL's suspension of audits and certifications in 2025. The report reveals that 532 audits conducted between 2017 and 2025 found violations, raising concerns about reduced assurance of contractor compliance with disability employment obligations.

Executive Orders 14173 and 14398 have fundamentally transformed federal contractor compliance by replacing traditional affirmative action frameworks with a certification-based model enforceable...

The U.S. Department of Labor's OFCCP has published a final rule that fundamentally transforms federal contractors' disability-related affirmative action obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. This rule eliminates the longstanding self-identification requirements, rescinds Form CC-305, and removes the 7% utilization goal that has been central to compliance programs since 2013. Federal contractors must now navigate a new compliance landscape while maintaining their affirmative action and non

The Starbucks settlement shows that state attorneys general are also scrutinizing employment and corporate governance practices involving race- or sex-based goals, preferences, and participation requirements.