Legal News

The PM Roundup: Supremes Uphold AT&T Pregnant-Worker Policy, More

By Ashby Jones

Usually, when the Supreme Court issues a bunch of orders/announcements/rulings, it’s pretty clear which are going to get top billing for the day.

But not today. Seems some pubs focused on the decision to review Conrad Black’s conviction; others featured the decision to review the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Still others focused on the pregnancy ruling involving AT&T. For any of those who didn’t hear about this latter development, let’s hit it now:

On Pregnancy and Pensions: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled 7-2 in favor of AT&T over a policy that lowers pension benefits for female workers who took pregnancy leave prior to 1979, when a federal pregnancy law was enacted. The justices, in a majority led by Justice Souter, said the seniority system AT&T applies to its work force is protected by federal law “because the seniority system run by AT&T is bona fide” despite the quirk created by 1970s changes in federal protections for pregnant workers. Dow Jones Newswires; AP. Click here for the opinion.

A Big Disbarment Push: A collection of organizations, most of them left-leaning, filed complaints today with five state bar associations, accusing former attorneys general John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales, Michael Mukasey and nine other former Bush administration lawyers — including John Yoo, Jay Bybee and Stephen Bradbury — of violating professional standards by sanctioning the use of torture on terrorism suspects. The complaints, filed with state bars in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, seek disciplinary action and disbarment. BLT Blog.

Vick: From One Confinement to Another: Even though Michael Vick is leaving prison this week, he won't exactly be a free man. For two months, the suspended NFL star will be largely confined to his Hampton home and will wear an electronic monitor that allows federal probation officials to track his movements. No dinners out. No chilling at a friend's house. No bars. And he’ll never again be allowed to own a dog. AP.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on May 18, 2009 (boomark / email).