What is the state of rule of law and the role of precedent in our federal courts?

With the appointment of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the United States Supreme Court accelerates the federal courts’ return to early 20th century jurisprudence on legal disputes long considered settled concerning labor rights, women’s rights, minority rights, and proportional electoral power. For example, last year’s Janus vs. AFSCME decision overturned over four decades of precedent that public employees must pay fees to unions to cover the costs of collective bargaining.

Eduard Meleshinsky will discuss several key cases from the last two Supreme Court terms and potentially a few lower court decisions to illustrate the troubling jurisprudential trends developing in the federal courts, and will leave plenty of time to discuss the implications of these trends for the health of our democracy so please bring your questions, concerns, etc.

Eduard is a Senior Associate Attorney at Bryan Schwartz Law, an Oakland-based employment civil rights firm, and represents workers in class actions against private and public employers who have engaged in systematic wage theft and discrimination. Eduard also represents individual workers in asserting whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, and harassment claims. Eduard is an active member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA), has co-authored amici briefs on behalf of CELA in cases pending at the California Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and regularly writes and discusses practical issues arising in employment law litigation.

SPONSOR: Green Sundays are a series of free programs & discussions sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County and are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Snacks are potluck. Vegetarian and vegan snacks are always welcome, but we appreciate whatever you can bring! The monthly business meeting of the County Council of the Green Party of Alameda County follows at 6:45 pm. Please visit our website: https://acgreens.wordpress.com/