EO 14173: The Future of Civil Rights Enforcement for Federal Contractors

As the sun sets on Executive Order 11246, a landmark directive that shaped affirmative action compliance for nearly 60 years, a new chapter in civil rights enforcement begins. Executive Order 14173, signed early in 2025, represents a fundamental shift—from mandate-driven affirmative action for women and minorities to a universal, merit-based approach to nondiscrimination for all…
Read More

EEOC & DOJ’s Warning on DEI Marks a Turning Point for Federal Contractors Under EO 14173

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a joint warning that could reshape how employers, including federal contractors, approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The message was unmistakable: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, or any other protected characteristic,…
Read More

Google’s $50M Bias Settlement Puts Federal Contractors on Notice

On May 9, 2025, Google agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by over 4,000 Black employees who alleged the company engaged in systemic racial discrimination. The lawsuit was originally filed on March 2022 by former Google recruiter April Curley with the Civil Rights Department of the State of California. Curley…
Read More