New York Paralegal Blog

By: Joel Irving  The landscape of federal policy surrounding diversity and discrimination underwent a notable transformation during the Trump administration. A series of executive actions signaled a clear intent to move away from established diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and to significantly curtail the application of a legal concept known as "disparate impact." This represented a distinct pivot, emphasizing what the administration termed a "merit-based" system for federal employment and operations. At the forefront of these changes was a significant executive order, "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy." This directive didn't mince words: its stated goal was to eliminate the use of disparate impact liability "in all contexts to the maximum degree possible." For federal agencies, this translated into a mandate to deprioritize the enforcement of disparate impact claims. They were also instructed to review exist...

By: Joel Irving  The America of the 1940s and 50s often evokes a nostalgic image of booming industry, white picket fences, and a sense of unified national pride. However, a closer examination of the workforce during this era, particularly before the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, reveals a landscape starkly defined by racial and gender segregation. Opportunities in prominent sectors like banking, law, and healthcare were overwhelmingly dictated by these demographic lines, painting a picture far removed from the idealized visions some may hold. Banks: A Male, Pale Domain Step into a typical bank in the pre-Civil Rights era, and the scene would have been overwhelmingly white and male, especially in customer-facing and managerial roles. While women, predominantly white women, were present, they were largely confined to clerical positions – tellers, secretaries, and bookkeepers – with limited avenues for advancement. African Americans and other minority groups faced even greater e...

By: Joel Irving  The tragic death of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer ignited a global firestorm, forcing a reckoning with entrenched issues of race and justice. In the aftermath, commentator Candace Owens offered a contentious assessment, largely focusing on Floyd's past and questioning his character, thereby, in the view of many, deflecting from the actions of law enforcement on that fateful day. Owens declared George Floyd "neither a martyr or a hero," pointing to his criminal record and suggesting his death was attributable to fentanyl rather than the officer's actions – a claim that starkly contrasts the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's ruling of homicide due to "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression." This rebuttal is not to canonize George Floyd, nor is it to ignore the complexities of any human life. Instead, it is to refocus the lens on the conduct of the state's repres...

 A former Killen, Alabama, Police Department (KPD) officer was sentenced today in the Northern District of Alabama to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty and for receiving sexually explicit photos of a minor. According to documents filed in connection with this case, on Nov. 12, 2023, KPD Officer Jarrod Gailen Webster violated the civil rights of a woman after initiating a traffic stop on the woman’s vehicle. Webster asked the woman to step out of her vehicle and asked her what she wanted to do to “get out of this.” When the woman told Webster that she was not going to do anything for him, Webster handcuffed the woman and sexually assaulted her. Further, between June 2016 and October 2018, Webster communicated with a minor by phone, and he asked the minor to produce and send him sexually explicit images. The minor victim sent multiple photos to Webster at his request, at least one of which constituted child sexual abuse material. Webster pleaded guilty ...

By: Joel Irving  Welcome to the first installment of our four-part series delving into the complex and often contentious topic of Affirmative Action. This discussion aims to move beyond soundbites and explore the nuanced perspectives surrounding these policies. In this initial piece, we'll examine the core ideal of meritocracy, a vision often championed by figures like Candace Owens, and contrast it with the less-than-perfect reality of human behavior and historical discrimination. Candace Owens often champions a vision of a colorblind society where individuals are judged solely on their merit. It's a powerful and, in many ways, appealing ideal. The notion that every person, regardless of their background, should have an equal opportunity to succeed based purely on their qualifications, hard work, and talent – whether in securing a job or gaining admission to a top-tier university – resonates deeply with the American dream. In a truly perfect world, this is precisely how thing...

By: Joel Irving  Imagine this scenario: Your beloved grandmother, frail but sharp, is in a nursing home. You've entrusted her care to professionals, believing she'll be treated with dignity and receive the attention she needs. But then, you notice alarming changes – unexplained bruises, a sudden decline in health, or a heartbreaking account from her about neglect. Your immediate thought? "This isn't right! I'll take them to court! I'll get justice for Grandma!" But then, a cold dread washes over you. You remember signing that stack of papers when Grandma was admitted – the admission agreement, the residency contract – and a vague memory surfaces of a tiny, almost invisible clause about "dispute resolution." Turns out, that clause wasn't just boilerplate. It was a Trojan horse, concealing a powerful weapon designed to strip away your fundamental right to due process: forced arbitration. This isn't just legalese. This is about whether you,...

By: Joel Irving  Mark your calendars, legal professionals! NALA – The National Association of Legal Assistants – is thrilled to announce that the much-anticipated 2025 NALA Conference & Expo is heading to the vibrant shores of Atlantic City, New Jersey, from July 10-12, 2025! This isn't just any convention; it's a momentous occasion as we celebrate NALA's 50th Anniversary! Five decades of dedicated service, unparalleled advocacy, and unwavering commitment to advancing the paralegal profession. We've come so far, and we're ready to celebrate this incredible milestone with all of you who have made it possible. What can you expect at this golden anniversary event? Exceptional Education: Dive into cutting-edge legal topics, learn from industry leaders, and gain valuable insights that will elevate your skills and career. With up to 12.5 hours of CLE available, you'll be at the forefront of the paralegal profession. Unrivaled Networking: Connect with hundreds of ...

By: Joel Irving  The recent federal indictment and ongoing legal proceedings against Sean "Diddy" Combs have thrust the dark realities of sex trafficking into the harsh glare of public scrutiny. While the headlines often focus on the celebrity aspect, it's crucial to understand the very serious legal framework behind these allegations, particularly in the context of what has been alleged to have occurred with his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. US federal law, specifically the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), defines sex trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. Let's break down how the allegations concerning Cassie Ventura, as widely reported from her civil lawsuit and subsequent te...

By: Joel Irving  The legal landscape is built on a series of theories and doctrines, each serving as a crucial pillar in the pursuit of fairness and justice. Recently, the discussion around disparate impact theory has resurfaced, particularly in the context of a past executive order aimed at limiting its application. Understanding the potential consequences of weakening or eliminating such fundamental legal principles is vital for anyone concerned about equality and the rule of law. Disparate impact, simply put, recognizes that seemingly neutral policies or practices can unintentionally discriminate against certain groups based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It focuses on the effects of a policy, rather than the intent behind it. This theory has been instrumental in addressing systemic discrimination in various areas, including employment, housing, and lending. So, what happens when we start chipping away at these legal foundations? Let's consider a few thought...

Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence. In the Hater’s Handbook, Chkhikvishvili states that he has “murdered for the white race” and encourages others to commit acts of mass violence and “ethnic cleansing.” For example, the Hater’s Handbook encourages its readers to commit school shootings and to use children to perpetrate suicide bombings and other mass killings targeting racial minorities. It also describes methods and strategies for committing mass “terror attacks,” including, for example, using vehicles to target “large outdoor festivals, conventions, celebrations, “parades,” and “pedestrian congested streets.” The Hater’s Handbook specifically encourages committing attacks within the United States. In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn. As alleged, as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via encrypted mobile messaging platforms, to commit violent hate crimes ...

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that ANTHONY SACCAVINO was sentenced to 36 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes in his role as the Chief of the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”) Bureau of Fire Prevention (“BFP”). SACCAVINO previously pled guilty on January 29, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who also imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Anthony Saccavino undermined the New York City Fire Department, an institution he swore to serve. Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker. Public officials who violate the public trust for financial gain will be pursued vigorously by our Office and our law enforcement partners.” According to the Indictment, plea agreement, and statements made in court: From 2021 to 2023, SACCAVINO was the leader of a conspiracy to solicit and r...