Labor & Employment Dispatch: May 2021

May 12, 2021 | Newsletters

FEATURED

President Biden’s Recent Executive Orders Seek to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Back in February, Jackson Walker summarized several of President Biden’s executive orders and memoranda that addressed areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Since taking the Oath of Office, Biden has signed over 40 executive orders, a number of which touch upon DEI. This article summarizes four orders that employers should consider as they review, update, or revamp their DEI policies and trainings to ensure compliance.

Jackson Walker’s Diversity & Inclusion Counseling practice group can assist with DEI policies, trainings, and assessments.

Fast Takes Podcast: Labor & Employment Actions in Biden’s First 100 Days

~10.5 minutes | Aside from prioritizing the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, President Biden announced two potential laws—the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan—during his April 28th address to the joint session of Congress that could ultimately impact employers if passed. Listen to the podcast »

UPCOMING EVENTS

“Avoiding Labor and Employment Nightmares: Strategies for Reducing Risk and Protecting Your Workforce”

Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. CDT

Join Jackson Walker and Insperity for this Labor & Employment symposium covering the latest developments affecting employers. CLE, CPE, HRCI and SHRM credits will be offered.

“Mediating and Arbitrating Non-Competes and Trade Secrets”

Friday, June 4th at 11 a.m. CDT

Using a hypothetical, typical case, Gary Fowler will focus on the unique rules and dynamics of mediating a non-compete case (both from the standpoint of the practitioner and the neutral) and arbitration. Read more »

INSIGHTS

Fast Takes Podcast: COVID-Related Changes to Paid Sick Leave

~6 minutes | The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) extended employee paid sick leave due to COVID-related reasons through September 30th. In addition, ARPA created three new qualifying reasons for when an employee can take this kind of leave. Listen to the podcast »

Introducing Our New Diversity & Inclusion Counseling Practice

As employers increasingly seek to create formalized diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs, Jackson Walker’s Labor & Employment attorneys have established a subgroup focused on helping businesses achieve their D&I goals and objectives while adhering to workplace laws and regulations.

Visit our Diversity & Inclusion Counseling page »
View our summary of the elements of a successful D&I program »
Listen to our Fast Takes podcast discussing D&I programs »

Recent Fifth Circuit Decisions Impacting Employers

Per the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Swales v. KLLM Transport Services, L.L.C., district courts must “rigorously enforce” the FLSA’s requirement that collective action members be “similarly situated” and do so at the outset of a case. Read more »

March 9th was a busy day for the Fifth Circuit in the wage and hour arena when it issued two decisions that carry big implications for application of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law that requires minimum wage and overtime compensation for most employees. Read more »

Morality Clauses Take Center Stage: Tips to Help Protect Your Next Project From Being Associated With Talent Controversy

While morality clauses have been around the film and television industries for decades, the growing focus in recent years on social media and social movements like #MeToo have thrown these clauses into the spotlight. Explore remedies negotiated into an agreement »

NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2021 Texas Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2021 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list. Spanning five offices and eight major practice areas, these up-and-coming attorneys have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm. View the announcement »

Jackson Walker Blocks Injunction for Cotecna

Scott Fiddler, Richard Howell, and Michelle Miller blocked efforts to obtain a temporary injunction against Cotecna in an alleged employee raiding and trade secret dispute. Read more »

Jackson Walker Defends Hospital in Title VII Lawsuit

Sarah Mitchell Montgomery, Jon Mark Hogg, and Judy Bennett Garner obtained a jury trial verdict for Midland Memorial Hospital. Read more »

All In

In the 2021 Texas Rising Stars Magazine, Jamila Brinson was featured in a profile sharing her experiences volunteering for the AIDS Action Foundation in Saint Lucia, the Houston Bar Association’s AIDS Outreach Committee, and the University of Houston Law Center.

“I’ve had so many mentors and scholarships that I feel the only reason I’m here and able to be a partner at Jackson Walker is because of the help and encouragement that pushed me along. So I feel like it’s crucial to give back as much as I can.”

Discover Jamila’s story »
Listen to her Fast Takes interview »

ICYMI—IN OTHER NEWS

D Magazine recognized 23 Jackson Walker attorneys among the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2021. Read more »
Scott Fiddler received a Leadership Excellence Award during the National Diversity Council’s 17th Annual Diversity & Leadership Conference. Each year, this award is presented to a select group of individuals who are exceptional leaders within their organizations and communities. Read more »

Key Contacts