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NEW PALTZ LITIGATION
Heller Ehrman represented Mayor Jason West after he was civilly sued and criminally charged for solemnizing the marriages of same-sex couples in New Paltz, New York. The criminal charges against Mayor West were dismissed. Heller Ehrman has applied to the Court of Appeals for leave to appeal the lower court's injunction against Mayor West and other Village officials.
CLASS ACTION CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GAYS
In Gay Law Students Association v. Pacific Bell, the firm's attorneys brought a class action lawsuit challenging anti-homosexual employment policies and practices of the phone company that had been in place since 1970. A landmark settlement of the case resulted in significant monetary compensation for class members and changes in the employment practices at issue.
A team of attorneys across Heller Ehrman offices represent New York Mayor Jason West in both civil and criminal actions brought against him for performing same-sex marriages. All criminal charges against Mayor West have been dropped. In the civil case, the trial court enjoined the mayor from marrying couples without a license, but refused to invalidate the hundreds of marriages already performed. Both sides are appealing.
PROTECTING FBI VETERAN
Heller Ehrman's Los Angeles office represented a twenty-year veteran of the FBI who was fired after revealing that he was gay. Heller Ehrman was successful in obtaining pension rights and a cash settlement for the defendant, who was "outed" by an unknown person after 20 years of service. The FBI agreed not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
URGING COURT TO STRIKE DOWN LAW OVERRIDING PROTECTIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
On behalf of the Colorado Bar Association and fifteen other state bar associations, Heller Ehrman attorneys filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, encouraging the Court to reverse Colorado's Amendment 2, erasing laws which prohibited discrimination against gays, lesbians or bisexuals.
