Free Newsletter
Virginia moves to forbid schools from teaching Jan. 6 was peaceful
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting schools from teaching that Jan. 6 was peaceful or that 2020 election fraud was widespread, marking a first for a Democratic state.
Education – Corporal punishment
Where a substantive due process claim has been brought against a defendant teacher, his motion to dismiss on qualified immunity grounds should be denied because the complaint adequately pleads a conscience-shocking violation of the plaintiff student’s right to be free from excessive corporal punishment, a right that was clearly established at the time of the teacher’s alleged misconduct.
New MCAD regulations facing pushback from bar
Employment lawyers and civil rights groups oppose MCAD procedural changes, citing online portal mandate and expanded dismissal powers.
Trump administration sues Harvard, accuses it of defying admissions probe
The Trump administration sued Harvard University for failing to provide documents on race-conscious admissions, seeking to enforce compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
Education – Parental opt-out – Curriculum
Where a plaintiff was granted a preliminary injunction based on a likelihood of success on the merits of his claim that he had a constitutional right to direct the educational and religious upbringing of his child and had the right to opt his child out of exposure to certain classroom materials that include teachings that run counter to those of his religion, two books that are part of the child[...]
Massachusetts schools pay $18M over teacher sexual abuse
Massachusetts cities agree to nearly $18M in settlements over alleged sexual abuse by teachers and failures by school officials to protect students.
Parent can opt child out of LGBTQ+ curriculum
A federal judge ruled schools must notify parents and allow opt-outs when LGBTQ+ curriculum may burden religious beliefs, citing a Supreme Court precedent.
Education – Parental notification – Curriculum
Where a plaintiff has objected to the content of certain books concerning sexual orientation and gender identity that are included in the kindergarten curriculum being used to teach his 5-year-old son, the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction should be granted because the defendants have failed to show that denying the plaintiff the specific notice and opt-out procedure he seeks is ne[...]
Education – Freedom of expression – Hairstyle
Where a complaint has been filed alleging that the First Amendment was violated when a kindergarten student was required to remove her beads and braids as a condition of attending school, the complaint must be dismissed because a hairstyle does not qualify as “expressive conduct” protected by the First Amendment.
SJC to weigh individual liability in campus harassment
The Supreme Judicial Court will decide whether faculty can be sued individually for sexual harassment under state education and civil rights laws.
Education – Sexual abuse – Deliberate indifference
Where a plaintiff who was sexually abused by a coach in her school system brought suit alleging that defendant school employees knew about the sexual abuse but failed to protect her, a grant of summary judgment in favor of the defendants should be affirmed because the plaintiff has not alleged any facts suggesting deliberate indifference.
Trump administration appeals Harvard court victory on $2B funding freeze
President Donald Trump's administration has appealed a judge's ruling that it unlawfully terminated more than $2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University and can no longer cut off research funding to the Ivy League school.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Injury during baby’s adenoidectomy leads to stroke
- Construction worker’s hand caught in cement mixer
- Worker trapped in freezer, dies during steam cleaning
- Pedestrian, 69, hit by motor vehicle while in crosswalk
- Four-vehicle pileup leaves driver with spinal cord injury
- Nursing home staff blamed for kidney-failure death
- Pharmacy’s late delivery blamed for patient’s death
- Man, 25, drowns after swimming lesson at fitness club
Opinion Digests
- Jurisdiction – Forum selection clause – Non-signatory
- Criminal – Responsibility
- Attorneys – Lien
- Landlord and tenant – Default judgment
- Zoning – Constructive grant – Comprehensive permit
- Fraud – False Claims Act – Settlement share
- Civil practice – Discovery – Cybersecurity
