New York Paralegal Blog

In a bold move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with 20 other states to support Harvard University in its fight against a sudden and unprecedented federal funding freeze. The coalition warns that this action threatens not just the university, but also jobs, scientific progress, and public health across the nation. What’s Happening? Imagine working on a critical research project—say, finding a cure for ALS or developing new treatments for breast cancer—and suddenly, the funding you rely on is pulled without warning. That's the situation Harvard University is facing. On April 11, the federal government issued a set of demands to Harvard. When the university stood its ground to protect its academic independence, the government responded by freezing over $2 billion in committed research funding. Now, Harvard is taking legal action, and a powerful group of state attorneys general is backing them up. Why Should You Care? "We all benefit when our research i...

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...

WASHINGTON - Donald Platten of Boca Raton, Fla., was convicted today of conspiracy, securities fraud and tax charges following a jury trial before Judge Donald Middlebrooks in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. In December 2008, Platten was indicted on 17 charges, including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and impeding the internal revenue laws. He was convicted on the conspiracy to commit securities fraud count, 6 of the 14 securities fraud counts, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and impeding the internal revenue laws. According to the indictment and evidence introduced at trial, Platten was the president of Harvard Learning Centers Inc., a Florida corporation also located in Boca Raton. Harvard Learning changed its name several times and claimed to be involved in several different business ventures. From 2004 to 2007, Platten caused Harvard Learning to issue stock to his w...