Employment Discrimination Claims Post-Ames: Increased Risk of Title VII Claims, Employer Impact, Policy Development
A live 90-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE webinar will examine the Ames v. Ohio Dep’t of Youth Services (2025) decision along with other anti-discrimination initiatives being taken by the new administration and discuss the impact of the current regulatory environment on employers' anti-discrimination efforts. The panel will offer best practices for policy review and development to mitigate the risk of federal enforcement action while also maintaining compliance with what may be more stringent state laws.
Outline
- Introduction
- Employment discrimination and the new administration
- EOs targeting DEI, disparate impact claims
- EEOC guidance on unlawful DEI-related discrimination
- Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Services (2025)
- Potential employer impact
- Policies, DEI initiatives
- Expected uptick in employment discrimination claims
- State law interaction
- Best practices for policy development and defense of discrimination claims
- Practitioner takeaways
Benefits
The panel will review these and other important issues:
- How does Ames significantly change precedent related to the evidentiary standard required of "majority" group plaintiffs under Title VII?
- What impact may Ames along with other anti-discrimination measures being taken by the Trump administration have on employers?
- What challenges face employers who may have to navigate more stringent state anti-discrimination laws while maintaining federal compliance?
- What are best practices for employer policy development? For being in a position to defend against Title VII discrimination claims?
Faculty

Joseph E. Abboud
Attorney
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Mr. Abboud represents clients on a broad range of employment issues, including wage-and-hour, discrimination and... | Read More
Mr. Abboud represents clients on a broad range of employment issues, including wage-and-hour, discrimination and retaliation, and whistleblower matters. He has represented clients in all stages of litigation, from intake to appeal, before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Abboud worked at the Department of Labor, where he advised investigators and represented the government in enforcement actions involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, and whistleblower laws like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Close
Samuel M. Mitchell
Partner
Husch Blackwell
Mr. Mitchell is a trusted advocate for sophisticated companies navigating high-stakes litigation, sensitive employment... | Read More
Mr. Mitchell is a trusted advocate for sophisticated companies navigating high-stakes litigation, sensitive employment disputes, and emerging legal challenges involving artificial intelligence. A seasoned litigator, he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial and employment-related litigation across a wide array of industries—including healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, real estate, automotive, and financial services. Mr. Mitchell brings particular strength to disputes involving senior executives, business torts, restrictive covenant violations, trade secret misappropriation, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblowing, and wrongful termination. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Mitchell counsels companies navigating the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI. His work includes addressing algorithmic bias in employment decisions, shaping practical and defensible AI use policies, and guiding the protection of AI-driven innovation through trade secret law. By bridging emerging regulatory risk with thoughtful litigation strategy, Mr. Mitchell serves as a forward-thinking resource for businesses deploying cutting-edge technologies.
Close