The end of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is getting closer. The DBE program presumes women and minority-owned firms are disadvantaged and sets goals for them to be awarded at least 10% of the value in federal contracts. In a well-reasoned and compelling decision, the U.S. District Court for
EEOC Builds on Best Practice Guidance Regarding Harassment Within the Construction Industry
This post was co-authored by Abby M. Warren and Christohper A. Costain who are members of Robinson+Cole’s Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration Group.
In June 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance tailored to the construction industry concerning harassment in the workplace or at the jobsite. The guidance is important for construction
Federal DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Challenged as Unconstitutional
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181 (2023) (SFFA), which limits the reach of race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions, a federal lawsuit was recently filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky alleging
Robinson+Cole Hosts Fifth Construction Industry Roundtable
Robinson+Cole’s Construction Group hosted its fifth Construction Industry Roundtable on June 15, 2021. The Roundtable was conducted virtually for the second year in a row, which allowed representatives of major design and construction industry organizations and stakeholders throughout the Northeast to participate. The discussion focused on the state of the regional market, nationwide trends, and
Robinson+Cole Commits to AGC’s Culture of Care in Support of Construction Industry
Robinson+Cole has committed to the Culture of CARE, an initiative created in partnership between the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the AGC of Washington to advance the construction industry as the industry of choice for diverse and talented workers by building inclusive work environments in construction firms nationwide.
“At Robinson+Cole we have
Robinson+Cole Hosts Roundtable on Diversity & Inclusion
Robinson+Cole’s Construction Law Group hosted its first industry-wide, virtual roundtable on the topic of diversity and inclusion (“D&I”) on September 17, 2020. The program grew out of an earlier Roundtable conversation and focused specifically on strategies and techniques to promote diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Recognized diversity & inclusion program leaders across the northeast area from government agencies, construction industry organizations, contractor and sub-contractor firms, suppliers, and architectural and engineering firms joined the closed-panel, working-group discussion.
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Robinson+Cole Hosts Fourth Construction Industry Roundtable
Robinson+Cole’s Construction Group hosted its fourth— but first ever virtual — Construction Industry Roundtable on July 14, 2020. Representatives of major design and construction industry organizations and stakeholders in the Northeast were in attendance to discuss the state of the regional market and to look ahead for trends to watch for 2021.
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Summary of the Second Construction Industry Roundtable Discussion
Building upon the success of last year’s event, on May 31, 2018 Robinson+Cole’s Construction Group led the Second Construction Industry Roundtable Discussion at its Hartford office. With a variety of representatives from major Connecticut construction industry organizations and other industry stakeholders in attendance, the participants discussed issues affecting the construction industry in 2018 and beyond.
With 2018 being an election year in Connecticut, the discussion began with a question posed to all attendees about anticipated outcomes and impact of the gubernatorial election in November. All agreed that, while the result of the election remains difficult to predict, the next governor will inevitably be required to address continued challenges with the state’s economy as a whole and the burden of state government personnel costs specifically. Several expressed concern as to the State’s perceived unfavorable climate for doing business. As an industry particularly susceptible to influence by the current economic climate, it was agreed that good news for the economy and business growth would certainly be good news for the construction sector.
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