Filed amicus brief urging California Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that discussion of sexual themes in writers’ meetings for the television show ‘Friends’ created a hostile work environment and is not protected by the First Amendment.
Status: Victory
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Amicus Briefs State Courts
Prof. James Maas
“THE CASE READS LIKE A TWISTED VERSION OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS, ONLY THIS TIME THE ‘WITCH’ IS A PROFESSOR AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND HIS ACCUSERS ARE FORMER STUDENTS EGGED ON BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE WOMEN’S STUDIES PROGRAM.”
LINDA CHAVEZ, USA TODAY
CIR contested, on contractual and
Status: Loss. N.Y. Court of Appeals upheld lower court dismissal of case.
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Due Process State Courts
Challenged 1989 consent decree whereby the University of Minnesota agreed to distribute $3 million to female faculty members to remedy alleged gender disparities in salary.
Read an interview with Professor Maitland
Status: Settled. University of Minnesota agreed to abolish female-only pay raises and distribute salary equitably.
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Civil Rights Federal Appellate Courts
In 1986, Massachusetts passed a law that bans private citizens from owning a stun-gun or Taser for self-defense. Codified in Section 131J of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the law states that “No person shall possess a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave or beam
Status: Dismissed in wake of favorable decision by Supreme Court of Massachusetts in another case
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Second Amendment Federal Appellate Courts
Represented Mason Cathedral Church of God in Christ in a lawsuit claiming that the City of Boston violated the church’s First Amendment rights when it removed city-paid counselors from the church’s summer day camp program because of voluntary prayer.
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Free Exercise of Religion Federal District Courts
Victory: Court Orders Reinstatement of Scott McConnell
On January 18, 2006, a New York Appellate Division court ordered Le Moyne College to reinstate education student Scott McConnell “forthwith.” McConnell was summarily expelled a year ago because of a course paper he wrote concerning classroom management. Among other things, McConnell’s paper questioned
Status: Victory. New York appellate court ordered immediate reinstatement.
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Freedom of Speech State Courts
Challenged elimination of men's athletic teams to achieve parity in participation and spending on men's and women's teams.
Status: Loss. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit affirmed district court ruling granting defendants' motion for summary judgement.
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Civil Rights Federal Appellate Courts
CIR filed an amicus brief in this important free speech case concerning the authority of school officials to punish high school students for speech they deem contrary to the mission or work of the school, including off-campus speech.
Frederick’s Banner
The case concerned an Alaska high school that allowed students to leave
Status: Loss. Supreme Court ruled that schools may restrict speech supporting illegal drug use.
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Amicus Briefs U.S. Supreme Court
CIR's case on behalf of Eric and Corissa Mueller attempted to strengthen constitutional protections against the arbitrary authority of child protection personnel to seize custody of a minor child over a dispute between the parents and medical personnel in cases when the child is not in imminent danger.
Status: Loss by jury verdict at conclusion of trial.
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Child Protection Law Federal Appellate Courts
CIR represented the New York Progress and Protection PAC ("NYP3"), an independent campaign committee formed to run television, radio, and print advertisements on behalf of conservative political candidates in New York State. NYP3 was blocked from participating in New York City's 2013 mayoral election because of New York's campaign
Status: Victory. Summary Judgment granted by US District Court.
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Elections Federal District Courts