Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism v. Mary Jane Pickens
Government board's race criteria undermine equality and opportunity
Government regulatory boards are common for countless professions throughout the country. For the legal profession, most states have a government-sanctioned, mandatory membership organization to oversee regulation and bar admissions. Some of these entities also focus on ethics and professional development. The West Virgina State Bar serves thi ...
American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Tim Walz
Race quotas for public service deny equality and opportunity
Government regulatory boards are commonplace for countless professions throughout the country. Minnesota social workers are no exception, falling under the purview of the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Legislatively created in 1987, the board has 15 members—ten social workers and five members of the public. Another requirement of board memb ...
Valencia Ag, LLC v. Alexander
Race and sex preferences in New York business licensing deny equal treatment and opportunity
When the State of New York legalized cannabis in 2021, William and Emmet Purcell seized the opportunity to plant roots in the burgeoning industry. By September 2023, William and Emmet had established their business, Valencia Ag, in upstate New York. They signed a $2,000-per-month lease—plus utilities. All that remained was to get a license. Va ...
Californians for Equal Rights Foundation v. City of San Diego
San Diego first-time homebuyers fight for equal treatment under the law
California's critical housing shortage is well-known. Surging demand continues to outpace supply, and housing remains extremely expensive compared to much of the U.S. In an effort to tackle home affordability, the San Diego Housing Commission launched a pilot program in 2023 to help middle-income, first-time homebuyers achieve "the dream of home ...
Lynn v. Goff
Oregon teacher fights for equal treatment under the law
Tyler Lynn has been teaching in Oregon public schools for more than 20 years. He is bilingual and teaches Spanish and English language development to students of all backgrounds. He is proud of his students and is committed to treating every young person with dignity and respect, no matter their race. He expects the same treatment from the governme ...
Lance Nistler v. Walz, et al.
Minnesota ends race-based grant policy
Lance Nistler is a 37-year-old farmer in Kelliher, Minnesota, who grows soybeans and small grain oats with his father and uncle. Lance is a hard-working entrepreneur who is ready to follow in his father's footsteps and run a farm of his own. He's been saving up for a down payment to buy his farm property. Lance was hopeful when Minnesota Gov. Ti ...
Do No Harm v. William Lee
Tennessee’s race quotas for government boards deny equality and opportunity
Government regulatory boards are commonplace for countless professions throughout the country. Tennessee podiatrists are no exception, falling under the purview of the state Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Legislatively created in 1931, the board's members must be licensed podiatrists for at least two years. Another requirement of board me ...
Landscape Consultants of Texas, et al. v. City of Houston, et al.
Racial set-asides in Houston contracting deny equal treatment and opportunity
Jerry and Theresa Thompson have called Houston, Texas, home for more than 30 years. They love the area, having raised their family and built Landscape Consultants of Texas and Metropolitan Landscape Management, Inc., two thriving companies whose landscapers maintain parks, playgrounds, and other government-owned properties. Now, however, as the ...
Azadeh Khatibi, et al. v. Hawkins, et. al
California’s controversial forced implicit bias training promotes distrust and resentment in medical care
Dr. Azadeh Khatibi, whose first name means "freedom," was born in Iran and immigrated to the U.S. when she was six. She has since embodied the spirit of her name and the American dream, completing a rigorous joint medical degree program at the Universities of California San Francisco and Berkeley and launching a career as an ophthalmology specialis ...