Aetna and Colgate-Palmolive Honored for their Leadership and Commitment to Diversity

(New York, NY) - On Monday, May 21st, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (“Lawyers' Committee”) will honor Aetna, Inc. and the Colgate-Palmolive Company for their commitment to diversity with the prestigious A. Leon Higginbotham Corporate Leadership Award.

For Press Release, click here

Lawyers’ Committee Trains Parents on Their Rights under the No Child Left Behind Act

Bridgeport, CT—April 28, 2017, the Lawyers’ Committee, in partnership with the NAACP Connecticut State Conference, Connecticut Appleseed, and Connecticut for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), kicked off a series of four workshops throughout the state to train parents to advocate for quality education and increase their involvement in closing achievement gaps in Connecticut schools.

For Parent Empowerment Guidebook, click here
For media announcement, click here

Joe Rich, Project Director Fair Housing and Community Development quoted in New York Times

Go to article.

Two Former Department of Justice Officials Join University of Texas Law Professor To Discuss Politicization of The Department of Justice, March 30, At National Press Club

For Press Release, click here

Lawyers' Committee Urges Supreme Court to Vindicate Employee Rights
Employment Project Files Brief Supporting Employee Who Suffered Race Discrimination

Washington, D.C. – On March 27, 2017, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a brief in the Supreme Court case BCI Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Los Angeles v. EEOC to vindicate the rights of an African American employee who was discriminatorily terminated. Eight prominent civil rights groups joined the brief, which asserts that employers must be held accountable whenever race motivates the termination of an employee. The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the case on April 18, 2017.

For Press Release, click here
For Brief, click here

Lawyers' Committee Supports Employees in Landmark Discrimination Case
Employment Project Files Brief Supporting Class of 1.6 Million Wal-Mart Employees

Washington, D.C. – On March 26, 2017, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a brief in Dukes v. Wal-Mart, urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to let stand a previous decision certifying a class of 1.6 million Wal-Mart employees. The plaintiffs allege discrimination in pay, recruitment, and promotions. The brief contends that no employer is so large as to escape justice for discrimination in the workplace. Eight other civil rights groups joined the brief.

For Press Release, click here
For Brief, click here

Lawyers' Committee Applauds Obama and Schumer Bill to Prevent Voter Intimidation and Deceptive Practices

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights announces their support for the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2017, and applauds the efforts of Senators Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer who introduced the bill.

For Press Release, click here.
For NY Times article, click here.

Lawyers' Committee Files an Amicus Brief in Support of School Integration

(Washington DC) The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument on December 4, 2006 amidst a crowd of demonstrators outside in support of voluntary school integration with race conscious means. Prior to the oral arguments, the Lawyers' Committee along with other civil rights organizations and law firms submitted an assortment of amici briefs in support of voluntary school integration. The Lawyers' Committee represented the national NAACP to rebut an amicus brief filed by Governor Jeb Bush and the State of Florida on the “proclaimed” success of race neutral educational plans that abandon school integration. In its brief, the Lawyers' Committee uses racially disaggregated data from Florida to show that the “race-neutral” A+ Plan does not increase educational achievement for minority children. In fact, results show that racial gaps in Florida school outcomes have actually increased. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case by the spring of 2017. John Brittain, Chief Counsel and Senior Deputy Director of the Lawyers' Committee notes, “the Seattle and Louisville cases will determine if the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education continues school integration or will represent the final nail in the coffin of this landmark case.”

NAACP Amicus Brief in Support of Respondents
Florida Governor Jeb Bush Amicus Brief in Support of Petitioners

For more information on the Seattle/Jefferson School Integration cases:
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund-
Threatening Brown: Supreme Court Challenges to Voluntary School Integration

Click here to see the Lawyers’ Committee’s new movie,
“The New Homeless”

Voting Rights Groups Challenge Voter Intimidation Provision
Suit challenges unfair burden on naturalized citizens when casting vote

August 29, 2006: CLEVELAND – Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio along with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Brennan Center, and the ACLU Voting Rights Project filed suit in Federal Court for the Northern District of Ohio challenging a section of Ohio House Bill 3.

Click here to read the complaint.

Stories From Katrina Survivors - One Year Later
Free Housing Workshop Held For Those Still in Need of Housing Assistance

(Gulfport, MS) - One year later, the majority of Gulf Coast hurricane survivors are still mired in bureaucratic roadblocks to recovery. The storm's latest victims are public housing residents who face displacement from the apartments that survived Katrina.

For press release, click here

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Names Marsha Simms Co-Chair of its Board of Directors

Marsha E. Simms, a partner in Weil Gotshal’s Banking & Finance practice, was elected Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee). Her term of office will begin in September 2006. Ms. Simms will serve as Co-Chair with Robert E. Harrington, a shareholder of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ms. Simms’ position was previously held by Marjorie Press Lindblom, a partner with the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis.

For press release, click here

Federal Court Rules that FEMA is not Above Reach of Law: McWaters v. FEMA

(Washington, DC) - The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights is pleased that U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. issued an opinion on June 16, 2006 that affirms the 5th Amendment Due Process right of hurricane survivors to sue FEMA for its failure to provide temporary housing assistance guaranteed by the Stafford Act and Declaration of Emergency by the President of the United States. In this order, although denying some and upholding other of plaintiffs' claims, Judge Duval expounded on an extensive criticism of FEMA’s inefficiency and lack of action to provide disaster relief to citizens most vulnerable from Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Judge Duval issued a subsequent order on June 30, 2006, granting the plaintiffs class certification. Hence, the McWaters plaintiffs represent all Katrina survivors who applied for assistance or participated in FEMA’s Short-Term Lodging program after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their pre-disaster primary residences in Federal Disaster Areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama; as well as those FEMA erroneously required to complete a SBA loan application to receive emergency assistance. Fortunately, FEMA voluntarily agreed to change many of the complained of practices.

For the press release, click here
For Final Order and Reasons, click here
For Judge Duval’s criticism of FEMA, click here
For Class Certification Order, click here

For more court documents and inormation on McWaters v. FEMA, click here

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Urges Congress to Enact Comprehensive and Humanitarian Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, DC – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has joined other civil rights organizations in the widespread call for comprehensive and humanitarian immigration reform that addresses the major flaws present in the current immigration system.

For the Press release, click here.

FEMA Transitioning Eligible Evacuees in 403 Apartments
to 408 Rental Assistance

Lawyers Release Guide to Homeowners’ Rights After Katrina
Guide to Preserving Homes from Bulldozing, Taking in New Orleans

Rebuilding Lives: Lawyers’ Committee provides Hurricane Relief in Coastal Mississippi

Click here to watch a short video from the Gulf Coast

New Orleans Property Owner's Rights after Hurricane Katrina

KATRINA SURVIVORS SUE FEMA TO PRODUCE TIMELY AID



NY Times, “Storm Victim Sue FEMA for More Aid”; November 10, 2005

Times-Picayune, “Groups Sue FEMA on Storm Response”; November 11, 2005

Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction, November 18, 2005

Second Amended Complaint, November 28, 2005

Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction and in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, December 5, 2006

Order Granting TRO, December 12, 2006

Modified Order, January 12, 2006

Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Class Certification, January 31, 2006

Declaration of Lenora Bartley, February 7, 2006

Third Amended Complaint, February 15, 2006
P2.pdf">Part 2 | Part 3

Defendant's Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss, February 16, 2006

Plaintiff Post-Hearing Brief, March 15, 2006

Defendant Post-Hearing Brief, March 15, 2006

Plaintiff Reply to Defendant Post-Hearing Brief, March 31, 2006
>
Defendant's Response to Plaintiff Post-Hearing Brief, March 31, 2006

>Final Order and Reasoning, June 16, 2006

John Brittain's Summary of Order

>Order Granting Class Certification, June 30, 2006

Final Judgment, August 10, 2006

Support the Lawyers' Committee's efforts to provide Legal Assistance to Disaster Survivors

Hotel Stay Extended BEYOND February 7th for Hurricane Katrina Survivors Who Call and Receive an Authorization Code. Click here for more information

FEMA Ordered to Extend Evacuee Hotel Stay to Feb 7th. 
Click here to view the December 12, 2005 Court Order.

Washington Post, “Evacuees' Aid Extended”; January 3, 2006

TIPS for Receiving FEMA Aid.  Click here to learn more about how to get your emergency money from FEMA

Groups sue FEMA on storm response; Suit seeks to 'unblock certain hindrances'

Click here for Important Information

Hurricane Survivors - Find Information to Protect Your Rights by Clicking Here

Petition to President Bush, United States Congress, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and United Nations

“Inaction that diminishes the right to vote equally may be as actionable as direct and overt acts treating the franchise unequally.”

Lawyers' Committee welcomes Judge James Carr’s order denying Defendant’s motion to dismiss in League of Women Voters of Ohio v. Blackwell. The Lawyers' Committee, together with our co-counsel, brought this historic case on behalf of the League to remedy the systemic deficiencies in Ohio’s election administration. Click here to read Judge Carr's decision.