Overview
As accessibility laws and regulations become increasingly complex and related investigations and lawsuits become more common, careful planning and collaboration with experienced counsel are necessary to ensure that businesses and their facilities accommodate not just individuals with disabilities, but anticipate the legal demands and heightened scrutiny of governmental agencies and advocacy groups.
Our Accessibility & Accommodations Group counsels clients in a range of areas, including sports, education, lodging, retail, food service and cruise lines, on all aspects of disability-related employment and accessibility requirements under federal, state and local law. The members of our practice are recognized as among the best in this field and have unequaled experience shaping the laws and regulations on which they advise. This includes the integration and application of: the Americans with Disabilities Act (including, Titles I (employment), II (state and local government) and III (public accommodations)); the 2008 ADA Amendments Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.
Our practice is led by Allan Weitzman, who is described in Chambers USA as “one of the finest labor and employment lawyers we have ever seen” and noted for the fact that “he clearly outclasses opposing counsel in every matter he gets involved in,” Carolyn Doppelt Gray, a former senior White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who is one of the country's foremost practitioners on ADA-related issues, and Joshua Stein, who possesses extensive experience representing a diverse range of employers and public accommodations in litigation, administrative proceedings, and DOJ investigations involving allegations of denial of access and employment discrimination on the basis of disability.
Areas of Focus
-
Alternative Dispute Resolution
-
Audits and Troubleshooting
-
Government Investigations
-
Interfacing with Advocacy Groups
-
Litigation (Charges, Individual and Class Action Lawsuits, Government Proceedings, Amicus Briefs)
-
Policy Drafting, Handbooks and Checklists
-
Regulatory Representation for Corporations, Trade Associations and Industry Groups
-
Strategic Planning/Operation Implementation
-
Survey and Design
-
Training
Key Representations
-
Sports facilities across the U.S., including playing the primary role in spearheading the accessibility compliance work and disability policy issues for the New York Yankees in the development, construction and operation of the new Yankee Stadium
-
Carnival Corporation, advising and providing training concerning modifications required as part of a legal settlement, and fielding inquiries from Carnival's legal department concerning related disability issues
-
Hess Corporation, providing representation across the country in litigations brought by advocacy groups pursuant to Title III and comparable state and local laws