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Equal Protection › Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) › Title VII

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 -
Wiley Rein LLP

DOJ Clarifies Administration’s Stance on What Constitutes “Illegal DEI”

Wiley Rein LLP on

On July 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memorandum titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” (the Memorandum) that provides clarity on what the...more

Bracewell LLP

Diversity Programs Could Mean Defunding, New Attorney General Memorandum Warns

Bracewell LLP on

Federal law has long required recipients of federal funds to comply with anti-discrimination laws. Over the last decade, initiatives under the label Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) became a widespread vehicle for...more

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”

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP on

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

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

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

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP on

- 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

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

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

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

The Trump Transformation – Major Shifts in EEOC and Employment Law

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on

Less than 24 hours after assuming the presidency, Donald Trump announced significant changes in the leadership and focus of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), as well as other policy changes which will...more

Hicks Johnson

Supreme Court Considers Title VII Case That Could Impact Company Diversity Initiatives

Hicks Johnson on

On December 6, 2023, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, a Title VII case out of the Eighth Circuit. The petitioner, Sergeant Jatonya Muldrow of the St. Louis Police Department, alleged sex...more

Rumberger | Kirk

Should Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies Vanish After Landmark Supreme Court Ruling?

Rumberger | Kirk on

Last June, the United States Supreme Court held in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll that affirmative action policies at universities violate the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause...more

Jones Day

It's Time for a Fresh Look at DEI Metrics in Executive Compensation

Jones Day on

The Background: It is estimated that over 84 percent of companies in the S&P 1500 use some form of "social" metric when determining their executives' incentive compensation. Many of these social metrics set forth diversity,...more

Conn Kavanaugh

Supreme Court Decision May Impact Your Company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Conn Kavanaugh on

The U.S. Supreme Court recently held that it is illegal to consider race in college admissions decisions. While the decision did not apply to employers, employers should be aware that the decision is being used as a roadmap...more

Rumberger | Kirk

How HR Can Navigate The Post-Affirmative Action Landscape

Rumberger | Kirk on

From campus to corporate - Highlights: The Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling may influence workplace diversity efforts significantly. Title VII implications from the Equal Protection Clause interpretation...more

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

The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling: A Shift in How Private Employers Approach DEI?

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

The Supreme Court of the United States’ recent decision to strike down affirmative action admissions policies in higher education is having significant indirect consequences for private employers and their diversity, equity,...more

Butler Snow LLP

Reviewing Workplace DEI Practices in Light of Students for Fair Admissions Ruling

Butler Snow LLP on

On June 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court found affirmative action in the college admissions programs of two well-known universities to be unconstitutional. Despite the opinion only addressing two specific college...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

Impact of U.S. Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision on Private Employer DEI Programs and Recommendations for Employers

Husch Blackwell LLP on

By now, most private employers are familiar with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), which arises in the context of college admissions. The Court held...more

Williams Mullen

The Future of Employer-Sponsored Voluntary DEI Programs After Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of...

Williams Mullen on

In Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, et al., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the admissions practices used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, which...more

FordHarrison

Shaking the Foundations of DEI? The Impact of the Students for Fair Admissions Decision on Corporate Diversity Initiatives

FordHarrison on

Executive Summary: On June 23, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 20-year precedent in two lawsuits: Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v....more

Foley Hoag LLP

The Impact of the SFFA Decision: Lessons for Employers

Foley Hoag LLP on

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in SFFA v. Harvard College and SFFA v. University of North Carolina. While the Court’s ruling has fundamentally altered the landscape for higher...more

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