Law Office of Leslie A. Farber

Law Office of Leslie A. Farber Law firm -- family & employment matters, estate planning, copyright infringement subpoena defense

Law firm representing clients in family mattters, employment matters, estate planning, copyright infringement subpoena defense

Georgia has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former Georgia Southern University employee who alle...
08/28/2026

Georgia has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former Georgia Southern University employee who alleged she was fired after speaking out about decisions affecting LGBTQ+ students.

Gemma Skuraton, the university’s former director of student wellness and health promotion, sued the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and a university vice president, alleging violations of her First Amendment and Title IX rights and unlawful retaliation.

According to the lawsuit, Skuraton objected after the university rejected a proposal to provide free chest binders to students. She alleged that she was later accused of encouraging student protests and media attention before being fired in July 2025. The defendants denied wrongdoing.

Under the settlement, Skuraton will receive damages, her attorneys will receive legal fees and expenses, and her termination will be changed to a voluntary resignation. Her termination letter will also be removed from her personnel file where permitted by law, and she will receive a neutral reference letter.

The settlement resolves the dispute without an admission of wrongdoing, but the case highlights an important issue for employees in public institutions: when workplace disagreements involve protected speech, discrimination concerns, or opposition to practices affecting protected groups, retaliation can raise significant legal questions.

Source: CBS News Atlanta

The state of Georgia has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former Georgia Southern University employee who said she was fired after opposing decisions affecting LGBTQ students.

A North Carolina school district has become the latest battleground over transgender students’ rights, bathroom access, ...
08/25/2026

A North Carolina school district has become the latest battleground over transgender students’ rights, bathroom access, and Title IX.

Cabarrus County Schools is facing two federal lawsuits and a U.S. Department of Education investigation over its handling of transgender students’ access to bathrooms and locker rooms. The district says it addresses these situations individually while following federal law, including a 2020 Fourth Circuit ruling that found a Virginia school board violated Title IX and constitutional protections by restricting a transgender student’s bathroom access.

The current administration has taken a different position, interpreting Title IX protections based on biological s*x and raising concerns about the privacy and safety rights of female students.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocates say the public and legal battle itself is affecting transgender students. Some students reportedly avoid school bathrooms altogether because they fear harassment or being singled out.

The cases highlight a complicated and evolving area of law involving Title IX, constitutional protections, parental rights, student privacy, and LGBTQ+ rights.

As courts and federal agencies continue to address these questions, school districts, parents, and students are left navigating competing legal interpretations with very real consequences for the children involved.

Cabarrus County is the center of a new debate raging over transgender rights and which bathroom students must use.

As companies continue to navigate changing legal and political pressures surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion pr...
08/18/2026

As companies continue to navigate changing legal and political pressures surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, new research suggests maintaining DEI policies has not resulted in a measurable financial penalty.

A study examining S&P 500 companies found no detectable difference in stock market performance or revenue between companies that maintained their DEI initiatives and those that scaled them back following President Trump’s January 2025 executive order addressing DEI and federal anti-discrimination law.

The findings add another dimension to a complicated issue for employers. Corporate decisions surrounding DEI are not simply questions of public perception or financial performance. Employers must also consider existing anti-discrimination laws, evolving federal enforcement priorities, potential litigation, and how workplace policies are actually implemented.

Regardless of how a company labels its programs, employment decisions involving hiring, promotion, compensation, and other workplace opportunities must comply with applicable anti-discrimination laws.

For employers and employees alike, understanding where workplace policy ends and legal obligations begin remains essential as this area of employment law continues to develop.

Companies that stood by their diversity efforts faced no detectable impact from investors or shoppers, researchers found.

A federal judge has dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging Minneapolis Public Schools’ race-cons...
08/11/2026

A federal judge has dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging Minneapolis Public Schools’ race-conscious teacher layoff policy, but not because the policy was found to be lawful.

Instead, the court ruled that the case could not proceed because the teachers’ union, which negotiated the collective bargaining agreement containing the disputed provision, was not included as a party to the lawsuit. At the same time, the judge expressed serious concerns about whether the policy could ultimately withstand legal scrutiny, suggesting that its race-based protections may not satisfy the constitutional and statutory standards required under federal law.

The decision serves as a reminder that employment disputes often involve multiple areas of law at once. Collective bargaining agreements, anti-discrimination statutes, constitutional protections, and procedural rules can all determine the outcome of a case before the court even reaches the underlying legal question.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we understand that workplace policies must be both carefully drafted and legally enforceable. Whether involving public employers, private employers, or negotiated employment agreements, protecting employees’ rights while ensuring compliance with the law remains essential.

While dismissing the suit, the judge signaled the district's race-based protections would likely fail on their merits.

The future of diversity requirements in legal education remains uncertain after the American Bar Association’s policy-ma...
08/07/2026

The future of diversity requirements in legal education remains uncertain after the American Bar Association’s policy-making body voted against a proposal to eliminate its longstanding diversity, equity, and inclusion accreditation standard for law schools.

Although the ABA’s accreditation council has expressed support for repealing the rule, the recent vote delays that process and highlights the ongoing debate over the role of diversity standards in legal education. At the same time, the issue has taken on broader significance because the U.S. Department of Education is currently reviewing the ABA’s status as the federally recognized accrediting body for American law schools. Any changes to that relationship could have far-reaching consequences for law schools, students, financial aid eligibility, and bar admission requirements.

Supporters of removing the standard argue that the change is necessary to preserve the ABA’s accreditation authority in light of evolving federal policies and legal challenges. Others maintain that diversity standards remain an important component of legal education and should not be abandoned in response to political or regulatory pressure.

Regardless of where the debate ultimately lands, this issue illustrates how changes in legislation, accreditation, and administrative policy can significantly impact the legal profession long before they reach the courtroom. Law schools, attorneys, and future law students will all be affected by the outcome.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we believe thoughtful legal policy should promote fairness, uphold the rule of law, and prepare the next generation of attorneys to serve an increasingly diverse society while meeting the highest professional standards.

A plan to eliminate the American Bar Association’s longstanding diversity, inclusion and equity requirement for law schools hit a snag Tuesday when the organization’s policy-making body rejected the change — a ​move that could escalate tensions between the ABA and U.S. President Donald Trump...

Safe housing is often the foundation for stability, opportunity, and personal security. For many LGBTQ+ young adults fac...
08/04/2026

Safe housing is often the foundation for stability, opportunity, and personal security. For many LGBTQ+ young adults facing homelessness or family rejection, emergency shelters can provide not only a place to stay, but also the support and resources needed to rebuild their lives.

During a recent visit to the Ess*x County LGBT RAIN Foundation, U.S. Senator Andy Kim heard firsthand from residents who described the shelter as the place they turned when they had nowhere else to go. Beyond providing temporary housing, organizations like RAIN help connect young adults with resources, community support, and pathways toward long-term independence.

Stories like these highlight the broader legal and societal issues surrounding housing access, discrimination, and equal treatment. While housing insecurity can affect anyone, vulnerable populations often face additional barriers that require thoughtful policy, legal protections, and community support.

The law plays an important role in protecting individuals from unlawful discrimination while helping ensure equal access to housing, employment, and other essential opportunities. As these conversations continue, it remains important that legal rights are understood, respected, and enforced.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect under the law. Protecting individual rights and advocating for equal treatment remain fundamental principles of our legal system and our practice.

U.S.. Sen. Andy Kim shares powerful testimonies from LGBTQ+ youth at the RAIN Foundation, stressing the need for services for youth.

Restrictive covenant agreements have become a routine part of employment, yet many workers sign them without fully under...
07/30/2026

Restrictive covenant agreements have become a routine part of employment, yet many workers sign them without fully understanding how they may affect future career opportunities. Employers, meanwhile, often rely on these agreements without realizing that New Jersey law in this area may soon undergo one of its most significant changes in decades.

In my latest article, I break down the different types of restrictive covenants, including non-compete agreements, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, trade secret protections, and no-poach agreements, and explain how New Jersey courts currently evaluate them under existing case law.

I also examine pending legislation that could fundamentally reshape the state’s approach to non-compete agreements by prohibiting most new non-competes, restricting the enforceability of many existing agreements, banning no-poach agreements, and creating new obligations for employers who wish to enforce restrictive covenants against certain senior executives.

Whether you’re an employer reviewing your employment agreements or an employee considering whether to sign one, understanding your rights and obligations before problems arise can help avoid costly disputes later.

Read the full article to learn how these proposed changes could affect you and what practical steps you should consider taking now.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we are committed to helping both employers and employees navigate New Jersey’s evolving employment laws with clarity, practical guidance, and experienced legal counsel.

If you have signed a restrictive covenant, been asked to sign one, or drafted them for employees, what’s happening in Trenton deserves your attention.

A new study suggests that the corporate retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion is already changing who gets acces...
07/28/2026

A new study suggests that the corporate retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion is already changing who gets access to the highest levels of business leadership.

According to research from Spencer Stuart, women and racial minorities accounted for only 40% of new independent directors appointed to S&P 500 boards during the most recent year, the lowest share since 2014 and a sharp decline from the 72% recorded in 2021 and 2022.

Overall board diversity remains close to historic highs, but that figure reflects appointments made during earlier years, when companies and major investors placed greater emphasis on representation. Recruiters now warn that if current hiring patterns continue, those gains could begin to erode.

Companies are also becoming less willing to acknowledge diversity as a factor in board recruitment. At the same time, many are placing greater emphasis on appointing current and former CEOs, a pipeline that remains disproportionately white and male.

This shift raises an important question: when companies say they are simply choosing “the best person,” are they genuinely broadening the search for talent, or returning to the same networks and leadership profiles that excluded qualified candidates for decades?

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we understand that discrimination is not always expressed openly. It can also appear through unequal access to hiring networks, mentoring, advancement, and leadership opportunities. We remain committed to helping employees protect their rights when workplace decisions are influenced by bias, exclusion, or retaliation.

During Trump’s second term, appointments of women and racial minorities to S&P 500 boards have dropped to their lowest level in more than a decade

Estate planning is one of the most important legal steps a person can take, yet it is also one of the most commonly dela...
07/25/2026

Estate planning is one of the most important legal steps a person can take, yet it is also one of the most commonly delayed. While many people focus on creating a will, a comprehensive estate plan involves much more, from reviewing beneficiary designations and powers of attorney to organizing digital assets, planning for probate, and ensuring trusted individuals are prepared to carry out your wishes.

One of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning is keeping beneficiary designations current. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial assets often pass directly to the named beneficiary, regardless of what a will says. Failing to update these documents after major life events can unintentionally leave assets to former spouses, deceased relatives, or individuals you never intended to inherit.

A thoughtful estate plan should also include durable powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, an inventory of assets and liabilities, and a clear strategy for managing your estate efficiently while minimizing unnecessary delays, expenses, and family conflict. Regular reviews are equally important, particularly after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, retirement, or other significant life changes.

Estate planning is not only about preserving wealth. It is about protecting your family, reducing uncertainty, and ensuring your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we believe that proactive planning today provides clarity, security, and peace of mind for tomorrow. A well-prepared estate plan is one of the greatest gifts you can leave to the people you care about most.

The uncertainty and turmoil regarding estate planning is over. There is no reason now to delay action. Create or update your estate plan using this checklist.

A federal employment discrimination lawsuit involving a former FBI employee continues to move forward after the Departme...
07/20/2026

A federal employment discrimination lawsuit involving a former FBI employee continues to move forward after the Department of Justice sought dismissal of some, but not all, of the claims. According to the lawsuit, the employee was terminated after displaying an LGBTQ+ Pride flag at his workstation, despite alleging that the flag had previously been presented to him by FBI leadership in recognition of his work promoting diversity and inclusion within the agency.

While the government argues there is insufficient evidence to support certain discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it has not sought dismissal of the lawsuit’s First Amendment allegations. As a result, the case is expected to proceed into discovery, where both sides will have the opportunity to obtain evidence before the court considers the constitutional issues raised.

Cases like this illustrate how workplace disputes often involve multiple areas of law simultaneously. Employment discrimination protections, constitutional free-speech rights, internal workplace policies, and changing administrative priorities can all intersect in ways that create complex legal questions. Ultimately, courts, not employers or government agencies alone, determine whether constitutional and statutory protections have been violated.

At the Law Office of Leslie A. Farber, we understand the importance of protecting employees from unlawful workplace actions while ensuring that constitutional rights are respected. Whether the employer is a private company or a government agency, every worker deserves fair treatment, due process, and the full protection of the law.

David Maltinsky was fired after displaying Pride flag at desk

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