By Josh Woodbrey
The Law Students on Workers’ Rights series publishes essays from current and incoming students from top law schools across the country. These essays, submitted for the Charles E. Joseph Employment Law Scholarship, address the question “What is the most significant challenge facing workers’ rights, and what role should employment attorneys play
When the Accused Becomes the Accuser: An Update on the JPMorgan Sexual Harassment Case
Recently, we wrote about a high-profile lawsuit filed by Chirayu Rana, a JPMorgan Chase vice president in leveraged finance, against a former colleague named Lorna Hajdini. Rana alleged that Hajdini used her seniority to coerce him into non-consensual sexual activity over several months, and that she threatened his career using racially derogatory language if
ERISA “Any Occupation” Standard Defeats MS Claimant: N.D. Illinois Court Upholds Unum’s Long-Term Disability Denial on De Novo Review
In Scorzo v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 23-cv-3836, 2026 WL 2070002 (N.D. Ill. July 17, 2026), United States District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings granted judgment to Unum and denied Plaintiff’s cross-motion, holding that Plaintiff, a former Starbucks store manager with multiple sclerosis, failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence
Seventh Circuit Affirms That ESOP Fiduciaries Did Not Breach Their Duties or Engage in a Prohibited Transaction in Approving the Sale of an ESOP-Owned Company
In Rush v. GreatBanc Trust Co., No. 25-1736, — F.4th —-, 2026 WL 2071139 (7th Cir. July 17, 2026), the Seventh Circuit affirmed a defense judgment entered after a three-week bench trial in a suit brought by a participant in the employee stock ownership plan that wholly owned Segerdahl Corporation, a direct-mail printing company.
When “Sedentary” Isn’t the Whole Job: California Court Restores 20 Years of ERISA Disability Benefits Reliance Standard Cut Off
In Cyr v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, No. 2:23-cv-06286-DSF-RAO, 2026 WL 2056667 (C.D. Cal. July 15, 2026), United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, following a bench trial on the administrative record, found in favor of a long-term disability claimant whose ERISA benefits Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company had paid for two decades
USCIS Reaches FY 2027 H-1B Cap
Quick Hits
- USCIS announced that both the 65,000 regular H-1B cap allocation and the 20,000 master’s cap allocation have been met.
- USCIS will continue to accept and process cap-exempt H-1B petitions, including extension, amendment, and change of employer petitions, as well as change of status petitions filed by cap-exempt petitioners.
Each year, USCIS is authorized
DOL’s Wage and Hour Division Includes 8 Proposed Rules on 2026 Agency Rules List
Quick Hits
- The DOL’s 2026 agency rule list includes eight WHD proposed rules covering tipped employees, young workers, independent contractor classification, and joint employer status, combining both newly announced and previously proposed measures.
- Among the newly announced items, the WHD is considering revised tip regulations that may align with the IRS’s recent “No Tax on
Beltway Buzz, July 17, 2026
Catching Up With Congress. Lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., this week, following the July 4th recess and with the clock ticking down on the 119th Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to remain at work in D.C. through July 23, 2026, while the U.S. Senate is scheduled to stay the course through August
On the Move: IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rates Mid-Year
Due to the sustained increase in the price of fuel, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has increased the optional standard mileage rates mid-year for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses.
Effective July 1, 2026, the optional standard mileage rates are 76 cents per mile for business
DHS Publishes Final Rule Replacing Duration of Status With Fixed Admission Periods for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants
Quick Hits
- On July 17, 2026, DHS issued a final rule that eliminates the “duration of status” framework and imposes fixed admission periods of up to four years for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants and up to 240 days for I nonimmigrants.
- F, J, and I nonimmigrants who need to remain beyond their authorized admission period