The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently released long-awaited guidance for employers who are considering mandates and incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations. The EEOC’s new guidance explicitly states that, under federal nondiscrimination law,...
Client Alert: Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Down New Public Sector Collective Bargaining Rules
On June 1, 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down a law that imposed new restrictions on the state’s public sector labor organizations, including unions that represent teachers, custodians, and other school employees. An injunction preventing the enforcement of...
Client Alert: Are the Federal Courts Now Open to Those Seeking Advisory Opinions?
By: Steven D. Hall Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski (No. 19-968, Mar. 8, 2021) and held that a student’s claim for nominal damages will sustain a cause of action against a school that would otherwise have to be...
Client Alert: FOLLOW UP – Dos and Don’ts For Form 11: Missouri’s Religious Immunization Exemption
By: Steven D. Hall As a follow up to an update we provided last year, Mickes O’Toole can report continued success in litigating on behalf of school districts and individual school administrators who were accused of violating the constitutional rights of parents who...
Client Alert: Federal Government Extends FFCRA On A Voluntary Basis
When the federal government passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) in March 2020, Congress included a sunset provision for December 31, 2020. After that date, school districts (like all employers) would no longer be required to provide to...
Governor Parson Announces Changes in State’s K-12 School Quarantine Guidance
Release: Missouri Governor - Michael L. Parson: Office of Communications November 12, 2020 Governor Parson Announces Changes in State’s K-12 School Quarantine Guidance Proper Mask Usage May Prevent Close Contacts from Quarantining (JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today,...
Josh Douglass Shares Insights Regarding OCR Complaints Resolved Outpace Number of Complaints Received for 3rd Consecutive Year
In an interview by Special Ed Connection, Mickes O’Toole attorney, Josh Douglass, shares his insights regarding OCR complaints resolved outpace number of complaints received for 3rd consecutive year. You can read the entire article below: [pdf-embedder...
Vince Reese Guest on Law Firm Launch Podcast
Vince Reese was delighted to be a guest on the Legal Back Office Law Firm Launch Podcast to discuss his experience as a law firm managing partner during the COVID-19 pandemic, some positives he's seen in the firm and industry, and advice for attorneys looking to start...
Supreme Court Rules Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity is Unlawful
On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision clarifying that employers cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate...
Public-Duty Doctrine: Negligence Case Against Teacher Dismissed
By: Brittany Newell and Josh Douglass An uncomfortable truth is that no parent can be with their child every second of every day. Many parents must rely on the eyes and ears of others to help protect their children. In the school system in particular, parents and the...