New England Biz Law Update

The the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule ending automatic extensions of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for non‑citizen workers whose renewal applications are pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

A Black former IBM executive has filed a federal lawsuit against the company, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated – along with several other Black leaders – as part of IBM’s attempt to comply with President Donald Trump’s 2020 executive order restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives among federal contractors.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court is weighing a case that could offer the first appellate guidance on the “safe harbor” provision of the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, a key protection for employers who proactively review and address gender-based pay disparities.

The U.S. Treasury Department has launched an online payment portal to support the newly required $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa petitions.

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued two new opinion letters clarifying when overtime pay is required under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

A federal trial court has ruled that a Black employee who was fired after the single use of an anti-Black slur could not sue for wrongful termination.

In a surprising regulatory rollback, the Department of Justice has withdrawn two key rulemaking efforts under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including long-awaited rules on digital accessibility.

The EEOC has withdrawn a key allegation in a lawsuit claiming that a company’s AI-based hiring tool caused disparate impact discrimination against older job applicants.

A proposed IRS program aimed at modernizing how businesses report employee tips is drawing fire from labor groups, particularly in the hospitality and service sectors.

Two major H‑1B developments could reshape how employers approach high-skilled immigration this fall.