Supreme Court Reverses “Bridgegate” Convictions

MICHAEL C. DORF

Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf comments on last week’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court reversing the convictions of two New Jersey officials for their role in the so-called “Bridgegate” scandal of 2013. Although the Court made clear that the underlying conduct was dangerous and wrong, its holding reversing the convictions may effectively permit corrupt bullies to continue to exercise political power, due in part to inadequate responses from other political actors.

Read More

GGNSC Chestnut Hill LLC v. Schrader

Docket: 18-1779

Opinion Date: May 11, 2020

Judge: Per Curiam

Areas of Law: Arbitration & Mediation, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Health Law, Personal Injury

In this case concerning arbitration agreements, nursing homes, and wrongful death claims under Massachusetts law, the First Circuit affirmed the judgment of the district court compelling arbitration after first certifying two questions to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), holding that the SJC's decision compelled the First Circuit to affirmed the judgment compelling arbitration. The personal representative of a deceased former nursing home resident brought a state wrongful death action against a set of organizations that oversaw the nursing home (collectively, nursing home). The nursing home sued to compel arbitration. The federal court compelled arbitration. On appeal, the personal representative argued that she was not bound by the decedent’s agreement to arbitrate with the nursing home because her wrongful death right of recovery was independent of the decedent’s wrongful death claim. The First Circuit certified questions of law to the SJC. After the SJC answered that claims of statutory beneficiaries under the state's wrongful death statute are derivative of the decedent's own cause of action, the First Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment, holding that the SJC's decision required this Court to affirm the judgment compelling arbitration.

Lopez-Lopez v. Robinson School

Docket: 19-1386

Opinion Date: May 11, 2020

Judge: Dyk

Areas of Law: Civil Rights, Labor & Employment Law

The First Circuit affirmed the judgment of the district court entering summary judgment against Plaintiff and dismissing her complaint asserting claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) for discrimination and retaliation, holding that the district court did not err in granting summary judgment as to the ADA and ADEA claims and in dismissing the claims under analogous Puerto Rico laws. Plaintiff, a teacher at the Robinson School in Puerto Rico, sued the school and two school administrators alleging that the school had discriminated and retaliated against her because of her age and perceived disability. The district court granted summary judgment for Defendants as to the ADA and ADEA claims and dismissed without prejudice the discrimination and retaliation claims under the analogous Puerto Rico laws against the school upon declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction. The First Circuit affirmed, holding that the district court did not err.