• News

EEOC Will Now Accept Charges Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Effective June 27, 2023, the EEOC will accept charges under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”). The PWFA offers protections for employees experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. In particular, the PWFA mandates that employers with fifteen (15) or more employees grant eligible employees “reasonable accommodations” unless doing so would impose an “undue hardship.” […]

Student Denied Preliminary Injunction in “There Are Only Two Genders” T-Shirt Case

This month, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts declined to issue a preliminary injunction in L.M. v. Town of Middleborough, No. 1:23-cv-11111-IT, which would have precluded school officials from enforcing the school dress code to prohibit a student from wearing a t-shirt with the message “THERE ARE ONLY TWO GENDERS” while at […]

Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Issues Guidance Regarding English Learner Students

School districts offer specialized or advanced educational programs for students that are designed to boost college access, degree attainment, and occupational skills. However, civil rights data collected by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reveals that English Learner (EL) students are less likely to participate in such programs as compared to their […]

Supreme Court Holds Employers Can Sue Unions in Certain Cases for Property Damage Caused by Strike

On June 1, 2023, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 174, No. 21-1449 (2023), which held that the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) does not preempt state law tort claims for property damage caused by a labor strike when the striking […]

Supreme Court to Consider Whether Public Officials May Constitutionally Block Social Media Users

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review two apparently conflicting lower court decisions involving the question whether public officials are acting in their capacity as government officials when they block critics on their personal social media accounts. If so, this would implicate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right of […]

Attorney Ann Marie Noonan to Present at MMA Statewide Meeting

Attorney Ann Marie Noonan will present at the Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association (MMA) Statewide Meeting on April 27, 2023.  Ann Marie will be presenting on engaging with constituents and others on social media from both a professional account as well as a personal account and understanding the risks and requirements of such engagement and how […]

Liz Valerio Recognized as Outstanding Massachusetts Woman by Massachusetts Association of School Committees

Valerio Dominello & Hillman congratulates Liz Valerio who was recognized as one of the “Women Who Made – and are Making – a Difference for MA Schools” as part of the MASC’s March Bulletin in honor of Women’s History Month. For the full bulletin, please click here.

Supreme Judicial Court Upholds City of Boston’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Against Challenge by Three Unions

On March 30, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court issued a decision that clarifies a public employer’s bargaining obligations under G. L. Chapter 150E in the context of a public health emergency – here, the rapid onset of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in late 2021. In Boston Firefighters Union, Local 718 v. City of Boston, […]

Attorney Jen King to Present at MASBO April Law Institute

Attorney Jen King will present at the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) April Law Institute on April 12, 2023.  Jen will discuss student discipline law changes.  For full details on the agenda, please click here.  

Governor Healey Extends Remote Meeting Flexibility For Public Bodies

On March 29, 2023, Governor Maura Healey signed into law a bill that extends the temporary provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law through March 31, 2025. Specifically, this extension allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public body physically present at a meeting location. Public bodies that meet […]