News & Analysis as of

Equal Protection Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I)

The Equal Protection Clause is a section of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution that provides that "no state shall...deny to any citizen within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the... more +
The Equal Protection Clause is a section of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution that provides that "no state shall...deny to any citizen within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Essentially, the Equal Protection Clause provides that the government must treat an individual the same way that it treats other individuals in the same circumstances. The 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause applies only to state governments, but the requirements of the clause apply to the federal government through the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment. less -
McGuireWoods LLP

DOJ Issues Guidance to Recipients of Federal Funding for Compliance With Federal Antidiscrimination Laws

McGuireWoods LLP on

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination, warning that many programs and initiatives labeled as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion...more

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Attorney General Bondi Issues Guidance to Recipients of Federal Funding “Regarding Unlawful Discrimination”

While some aspects of the Guidance reflect longstanding interpretations of federal antidiscrimination law, it signals an important shift in enforcement priorities. The Guidance states that the use of race-neutral criteria is...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

DOJ Issues Sweeping Memorandum on Unlawful Discrimination

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On July 29, 2025, the U.S. attorney general released a new memorandum providing guidance on the application of federal antidiscrimination laws for recipients of federal funding—including private and public colleges and...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

New DOJ Guidance Identifies Unlawful DEI Practices That Could Result in Revocation of Federal Funding

On July 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released new guidance to all federal agencies clarifying what types of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and policies would be considered illegal...more

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Attorney General Issues Memorandum on Unlawful Discrimination for Recipients of Federal Funds

- What is new: The Office of the U.S. Attorney General issued important guidance clarifying that any policy or practice distinguishing based on protected characteristics may violate federal antidiscrimination laws, including...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

DOJ Issues Guidance on “Unlawful Discrimination”

Latham & Watkins LLP on

The guidance reflects a key step in the administration’s broader strategy to root out DEI efforts in the private sector....more

Cozen O'Connor

Republican AGs Call for End to Federal DBE Program

Cozen O'Connor on

20 Republican AGs filed an amicus brief in support of a proposed consent order that would end federal enforcement of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program (DBE), which requires federal transportation fund recipients...more

Polsinelli

Supreme Court Rejects Heightened Evidentiary Requirement for Majority Groups in Title VII Cases

Polsinelli on

What You Need to Know: Equal Protection Under Title VII: On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Title VII’s protections apply equally to all individuals, regardless of whether they are in a...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Achieving DEI Compliance…On Your Website

Foley & Lardner LLP on

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts, and the term itself, have become increasingly scrutinized and subjected to legal challenges by both government and private actors, making an understanding of the current DEI...more

CDF Labor Law LLP

Federal Agencies Directed to End Enforcement of Disparate Impact Discrimination Claims Under President Trump’s New Executive Order

CDF Labor Law LLP on

On April 23, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy” (“Executive Order”). This Executive Order is one in a series issued by President Trump with the goal of...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

Navigating DEI in a Shifting Legal Landscape

Troutman Pepper Locke on

Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs face more scrutiny than ever in light of President Trump’s recent executive orders regarding DEI policies and programs across the public and private sectors, recent...more

McDermott Will & Schulte

Fourth Circuit Stays Preliminary Injunction of Executive Orders Related to DEI Programs

On March 14, 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a stay on the US District Court for the District of Maryland’s nationwide preliminary injunction of US President Donald Trump’s executive orders (EOs)...more

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

New Administration Outlook: NADOHE Injunction on DEI Crackdown Is Stayed – Key Takeaways for Federal Grantees and Contractors

In an important development in the Trump Administration's campaign to extinguish DEI practices from the private sector, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit has stayed the district court's preliminary injunction in...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

U.S. Department of Education’s ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Prohibiting DEI and FAQs Document Challenged in Federal Court

On March 5, 2025, the National Education Association (NEA) and its New Hampshire affiliate (NEA-NH) sued the U.S. Department of Education, challenging a recently issued “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) that informed schools that...more

Ballard Spahr LLP

Federal Court Refuses to Lift Preliminary Injunction Blocking DEI Executive Orders, While EEOC, USDOE, and State AGs Address DEI...

Ballard Spahr LLP on

Last week brought further developments related to the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail what it views as illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives....more

Bricker Graydon LLP

U.S. Department of Education releases FAQ for February 14th Dear Colleague Letter

Bricker Graydon LLP on

On March 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document in connection with the February 14 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL). This document aims to clarify how...more

Whiteford

Employment Law Update: Supreme Court Hears Argument on Reverse Discrimination Claim with Implications for DEI

Whiteford on

Just as employers are reconsidering their approach to DEI and the myriad of potential risks such policies could present under current administration enforcement priorities, the Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

U.S. Department of Education’s Guidance Clarifies Discriminatory Activities Subject to Investigation and Funding Consequences

Dorsey & Whitney LLP on

Following its February 14, 2025, “Dear Colleague Letter,”outlining DEI programs that could result in a loss of federal funding by February 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (the “Department”)...more

Pullman & Comley - School Law

OCR, DEI and Connecticut Schools – Sorting Through a Legal Minefield

If nothing else, the early days of the Trump administration 2.0 have been a whirlwind of legal activity.  Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have of course been at the forefront and on February 14, 2025 the federal...more

Shipman & Goodwin LLP

OCR Issues “Dear Colleague” Letter on Racial Discrimination

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On February 14, 2025, the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance clarifying how the Department will interpret federal laws that prohibit schools and other entities receiving...more

DCI Consulting

Second Challenge to Anti-DEIA Executive Orders

DCI Consulting on

The National Urban League, National Fair Housing Alliance, and AIDS Foundation of Chicago have come together to challenge a series of Executive Orders (EO) issued by President Trump including EO 14151, “Ending Radical and...more

Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC

Federal District Court Issues Partial Injunction of DEI Executive Orders

On Feb. 21, 2025, the federal district court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction partially enjoining two of President Trump’s executive orders: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and...more

Proskauer - Government Contractor Compliance...

Federal Court Issues Partial Preliminary Injunction Halting Enforcement of DEI-Related Executive Orders

On February 21, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction pausing enforcement of several provisions of President Trump’s DEI-related executive orders on Ending Radical and...more

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction against Anti-DEI Executive Orders

Despite court ruling, educational institutions face continuing enforcement uncertainty pursuant to the February 14 “Dear Colleague Letter” issued by the Department of Education - On February 21, 2025, a federal court in...more

Womble Bond Dickinson

Key Court Ruling on DEIA Programs - What You Should Know

Womble Bond Dickinson on

On February 21, 2025, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland enjoined the Trump administration from implementing two recently issued executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and...more

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