7th Circuit strikes Indiana’s abortion law
In a split 2-1 decision, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Indiana’s abortion ban, which prohibited a woman from terminating her pregnancy because of the gender, race or disability of the fetus.
Discrimination
Articles
CSX must face female engineer’s suit alleging sex, disability bias
The CSX railroad lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a fired female locomotive engineer who alleges gender and disability discrimination. The complaint also contends CSX more severely disciplined its female workers than male workers, among other allegations.
COA slashes disability damages, voids state code, gives bench slaps
Portions of the Indiana Administrative Code were voided by an Indiana Court of Appeals decision in a disability discrimination suit in which the appeals court also substantially reduced a damages award to a fired worker and criticized counsel for incivility and citing outdated regulations.
Racial discrimination claim will proceed against Purdue coach
The Indiana Northern District Court has allowed a racial discrimination claim to continue against a Purdue University baseball coach after finding one of his player’s adequately alleged the coach treated him differently because of his Mexican heritage.
ACLU Indiana plans transgender rights Facebook Live event
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana’s Transgender Education and Advocacy Program is organizing an “Ask Me Anything” event starting at noon Wednesday on Facebook Live, featuring advocates Lo Ray and Michelle Young.
7th Circuit to hear arguments over Indiana’s abortion law
Indiana’s controversial law that limits a woman’s ability to obtain an abortion will be argued before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday morning. The 2016 law that was barred from taking effect by a federal judge in Indianapolis will be the subject of oral arguments in an appeal brought by the state.
Bassoonist settles age-discrimination lawsuit against symphony
The federal age-discrimination lawsuit filed by a longtime bassoonist against the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has been settled.
Senate Republicans split as hate crime bill yanked from vote
Fourteen days after rallying on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse to cheer, applaud and push the Legislature into passing a hate crime bill this session, advocates were stunned the measure failed last week to even get a committee vote.
Advocates: Indiana’s prosperity depends on hate crime law
Emphasizing the economic as well as social benefits of hate crime laws, an energic and diverse crowd rallied inside the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday in support of two bills that would add penalties for crimes motivated by bias.
Statehouse rally set as push for hate crime legislation renewed
With two hate crime bills introduced in the Indiana Legislature this session, proponents are hoping the third time will be the charm for finally getting a measure to the governor’s desk. Advocates plan a rally at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
7th Circuit affirms ruling for employer on discrimination claims
Indiana’s Southern District Court properly granted summary judgment to a black man on a discrimination case against his former employer after finding the man failed to prove his termination was based on discriminatory practices, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Top 10 legal stories of 2017 focus on law schools, court changes
The closing of 4-year-old Indiana Tech Law School in Fort Wayne, and the revelation that 138-year-old Valparaiso University Law School faced an uncertain future, made law school troubles the top legal news story of 2017, as determined by the staff of Indiana Lawyer. Changes on the federal and state bench also were among the year’s top stories.
Judge’s bid to seal exhibits denied in sex-based harassment case
A district court judge has struck down most aspects of a Huntington Circuit Court judge’s request to seal exhibits submitted as part of a sex-based harassment claim against him, finding the majority of the exhibits in question contain personal content not eligible to be kept from public view.
U.S. Supreme Court declines gay-rights work discrimination case
The Supreme Court is leaving in place a lower court ruling that a federal employment discrimination law doesn't protect a person against discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
Civil Rights Commission’s $96K discrimination award upheld
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a nearly $100,000 judgment in favor of a black man who claims he was subject to discriminatory practices by his former employer after ruling the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s finding in favor of the man was not invalid or void.
Opponents in LGBT case agree: It’s not about wedding cake
In a legal case with profound implications for LGBT rights and religion’s place in public life, the opposing sides agree on this: It's not about the cake.
Ex-Planned Parenthood group worker sues over medical leave
A former employee with a Planned Parenthood advocacy group is suing the organization, alleging that she was denied family medical leave after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Indiana law firms rate high on national LGBTQ survey
The Human Rights Campaign’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index includes several Indiana law firms that are identified as advancing policies and practices to protect LGBTQ workers. Six firms with Indiana ties received a perfect score in the survey.
Magistrate judge slams ‘troubling trend’: lawyers ignoring orders
Note to lawyers with cases in the Southern District of Indiana: don’t give the overworked judicial officers cause to call you out for missing deadlines or shrugging off orders. Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker did just that in a blistering two-page order issued Friday.
COA rules for Purdue profs who complained about colleague
After filing a complaint against a coworker who made derogatory remarks toward other professors and the Islamic religion, a group of Purdue University professors have been granted their cross-motion for summary judgment against the coworker, who filed numerous First Amendment claims against them.