Latham’s Anti-Discrimination & Civil Rights practice advises companies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and their boards, in navigating unique issues related to compliance with anti-discrimination laws and regulations, as well as investigations and reviews with civil rights implications. These matters require a deep understanding of federal and state antidiscrimination laws, as well as the regulatory landscape, and in many instances require the ability to handle concurrent public scrutiny that can implicate substantial reputational risk.    

Our practice is led by a former Deputy Counsel to the President, who established and led the first-ever White House Counsel’s Office team dedicated to civil rights and advancing racial, gender, and LGBTQ equity. The practice also includes other former senior White House and US Department of Justice officials, all with extensive experience in crisis management and navigating the complex dynamics often involved in the most sensitive anti-discrimination matters across all types of organizations. Our diverse team draws on immense experience working on high-profile anti-discrimination and controversy matters, both in and out of government, to craft and provide effective solutions. Our approach is rooted in a deep understanding of US civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, compliance programs, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations. 

Our team represents clients in a wide range of anti-discrimination and civil rights matters, including:

• Sensitive internal investigations following reported allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination
• Workplace culture reviews and audits of anti-discrimination policies and practices
• Civil rights and equity-related audits
• Congressional investigations and government enforcement matters, including those brought by federal agency Offices of Civil Rights 
• Reviews of corporate DEI initiatives and affirmative action policies and programs 
• Defending challenges to diversity programs and initiatives, including reverse discrimination claims

We routinely represent clients in state and federal courts, before Congress, as well as before various government agencies, including the US Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Education. We practice at the forefront of cutting-edge issues, advising on novel civil rights questions arising from new technological and commercial developments, as well as changing and evolving regulatory enforcement and legislative priorities.