A group of law students found success in their lawsuit against the EEOC. In 2025 the EEOC sent major law firms letters demanding demographic data related to their attorneys and job applicants. Shortly after, a group of law students sued the EEOC, arguing that this data would threaten the privacy of future lawyers. In the proceedings, the EEOC admitted that the data it was seeking was voluntary and that it considered the matter closed, despite most firms not responding. A press release from the plaintiffs states:
“Law students represented by Democracy Forward have secured a significant victory after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) retreated from its controversial effort to collect sensitive demographic information from specific law firms about their attorneys and job applicants. In a court filing in Doe 1 v. EEOC, the agency has now acknowledged that despite its attempt to threaten law firms to believe otherwise, its data requests were voluntary, that most firms did not comply, that it received no personally identifying information, and that the matter is now closed, bringing an end to an episode that had threatened the privacy and careers of current and future lawyers.”
So far anti-DEI cases are having a hard time finding a foothold in the private sector. This is just one of several recent losses and retreats for anti-DEI plaintiffs. However, despite not finding a big win, the government is continuing to pursue anti-DEI investigations and litigation.
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