FEATURED CASES
Our firm has filed a wide variety of lawsuits for individuals who are both union and non-union members and for organizations seeking to push back on injuries caused by the actions of public-sector union officials. Our clients have exposed and ended union official corruption, held union officials accountable for unfair representation, defended themselves from forced membership and dues payments, pushed back on sexism, harassment, and retaliation, and more. The following cases illustrate the types of problems we have solved for our clients. Select a case category below for more representative cases.
Israeli Postdoc Sues UC Berkeley Union for ‘Anti-Semitic’ Discrimination
Yaniv v. UAW 4811
Karin Yaniv, an Israeli postdoc at UC Berkeley, alleges that her campus union has created an atmosphere of pervasive hostility and relentless abuse targeting Israeli Jews it represents. Her civil rights lawsuit seeks to end the union’s anti-Semitic discrimination against her and to hold union officials accountable for the hostile work environment they have fostered on campus.
Union’s $40 Million Dues-Fueled PAC Spending Challenged by NJ Teachers, Think Tank
Dupont & Pocklembo v. NJEA & Spiller
Dr. Marie Dupont and Ann Marie Pocklembo, both New Jersey teachers, allege that the New Jersey Education Association breached its membership contract and violated conflict of interest policies by sending more than $40 million of members’ dues to a Super PAC that supported the gubernatorial campaign of then-NJEA president Sean Spiller.
Hartford Physical Education Teacher Fights DEI Discipline; Holds Union Accountable
Grande v. HFT; Hartford Board of Ed.
John Grande won a huge victory after he filed charges against his union for refusing to represent him in a workplace grievance, securing rights for all Connecticut public employees. Now he is looking to hold Hartford school administrators accountable for the retaliatory investigation that began when he simply voiced his opinion about a mandatory DEI training.
NYPD Traffic Agent Fights Racial Harassment from Union Vice President
Seabron v. AFSCME, District Council 37
Edward Seabron, an NYPD tow truck operator, was dissatisfied with his union’s representation and began exploring alternatives. That got the attention of his union’s first vice president, who unleashed a torrent of online abuse to intimidate Ed, including a fake picture of Ed shaking hands with someone in KKK robes on a union Facebook group.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Employee Sues Union & State Over Broken Contract
Burns v. AFSCME, Council 13
Todd Burns was next in line for a promotion under the terms of his union-negotiated contract, but a less qualified and less senior colleague who happened to be friends with the hiring manager got the job instead. Todd turned to his union for help—but it refused to defend the terms of its own contract.
Philadelphia Firefighters File Class-Action Lawsuit Over Pension Concealment
Farrell & Viola v. IAFF, Local 22
Philadelphia firefighters Joe Farrell and Pat Viola allege that union officials intentionally deprived firefighters of their full pension benefits. They suspect that union officials did this to preserve for themselves the opportunity to maximize pension benefits. Their lawsuit seeks to expose the truth. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Teacher Wins Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against California Union
Newman v. EGEA
Isaac Newman won his federal civil rights lawsuit against his teachers’ union after it barred him from a leadership position because of the color of his skin. Within months of filing his lawsuit, the union folded and ended the segregated board seat. The union also committed to not discriminating based on race in other union positions.
IRS Employee Wins Settlement After Supervisors and Union Team Up Against Her
Kjarbo v. IRS | Kjarbo v. NTEU
Ashley Kjarbo wanted to resign her union membership, but union officials and the IRS teamed up against her in an unfair fight. Ashley’s unfair labor practice charge forced the IRS to apologize and commit to not interfere with employees’ rights.
Pennsylvania Corrections Officers Expose Financial Corruption Within PSCOA
Taylor v. PSCOA | Yedlosky v. PSCOA
Chris Taylor and Cory Yedlosky were concerned about how corrections union officials were spending members’ dues. After conducting an audit, they discovered that thousands of dollars had been mishandled. Later, six union officials were arrested on felony theft charges.
Transportation Employee Battles Sexism, Self-Dealing in Pennsylvania Union
McFetridge v. AFSCME, Council 13
Mindy McFetridge uses her PTO to care for her sick daughter, but during the pandemic, a group of male union officials ignored seniority rules and kept themselves working, ultimately forcing her to exhaust her PTO. She seeks restitution.
‘Ghost Teachers’ Exorcised From Three Pennsylvania School Districts
Multiple Cases
For decades, Pa. school districts allowed teachers to leave the classroom to work full-time for teachers’ unions at taxpayer expense. Our clients’ lawsuits in Philadelphia, Allentown, and Reading exposed this practice and sparked statewide reform. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Teachers Win Eight-Year Battle, Apply Supreme Court Janus Ruling to Pennsylvania
Ladley & Meier v. PSEA
Jane Ladley and Chris Meier objected to paying union fees on religious grounds. After eight years of litigation—and more than 40 media appearances—Jane and Chris won a unique judgment applying Janus to state law.