Lawsuit Charges FieldTurf Sold Defective Synthetic Athletic Fields to Schools Nationwide

Late last year a lawsuit was filed against FieldTurf U.S.A., alleging that FieldTurf concealed known defects in the synthetic grass athletic fields it sells across the country.  The suit further alleges that even after FieldTurf knew about the defects, it sold to municipalities, schools and universities anyway.  FieldTurf allegedly marketed to customers in Ohio and other states that its synthetic fields last for 10 or more years, while knowing its product would deteriorate after only a few years.  As a result, the lawsuit alleges FieldTurf pocketed millions of dollars at the public’s expense.

This is a class action lawsuit, where the municipality who filed suit seeks to represent a “class” of plaintiffs who have been impacted by FieldTurf’s alleged misconduct.  The plaintiff in the case is proposing a nationwide class, thus encompassing Ohio school districts impacted by possible FieldTurf misconduct.  However, it will be later this year before we know for sure if the class will cover Ohio school districts.

If you have had performance issues with a FieldTurf product, you may consider monitoring this case and/or documenting those problems and reviewing them with your legal counsel. 

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Transgender Rights Case March 28

The U.S. Supreme Court set March 28, 2017 as the date to hear oral arguments for a transgender rights case stemming from a school district's decision regarding a transgender boy's use of the boys' restroom.  In the case the public school district required the student to use alternative private restroom facilities instead of the restroom corresponding to his gender identity.

The Court is reviewing the case of Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. after staying, or putting on hold, a lower court's decision that would have required the school to allow the student to use the restroom corresponding to his gender identity.  In reviewing the case, the Court will examine the U.S. Department of Education's authority to interpret its own regulations in favor of transgender rights.  Specifically, the Obama administration's Department interpreted its Title IX regulation's prohibition against sex discrimination to include a prohibition against barring transgender students from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.  In this lawsuit, the school challenges the Department's right to do that.

The federal government faces a deadline at the end of February for filing a brief expressing its position in the case. The Obama administration supported the student in the federal appeals court.  It is unclear whether the Trump administration will withdraw that support and/or change its position, or whether the Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos will withdraw its guidance in support of transgender rights under Title IX.   

Lindsay Gingo Named to List of “Rising Stars” in 2017 Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers

Lindsay F. Gingo has been selected to the 2017 Ohio Rising Stars list for the sixth year in a row. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.