New Haven/Ricci Deja Vu for Big Apple
The New Haven firefighters case (Ricci v. DeStafano) was decided just in time for it to be a prime subject during Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. No sooner had the Sotomayor hearings ended than Ricci made its way back into the news by way of New York City.
A federal district judge in New York has decided that entry level tests given to job applicants ”unfairly excluded hundreds of qualified people of color from the opportunity to serve as New York City firefighters.” The tests in question were administered in 1999 and 2002, and according to New York Fire Department officials, significant progress has been made since then to increase the number of African-American and Hispanic firefighters in New York City. (Click here to read story in New York Times.)
Of course, the New York tests are different from the New Haven tests, so it’s unclear to what extent the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Ricci will apply. What is clear is that, despite Ricci, litigation over entry level and promotion employment tests is likely to continue.
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Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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