KCL attorney  Andra J. Hutchins recently prevailed on behalf of her client, a consulting firm, in a case involving unemployment assistance.

A forme r empl oyee of the consulting firm applied for unemployment benefits in Ma ssachusetts , though she was a resident of Tennessee, and performed almost all of her work in Tennessee. After KCL's client prevailed at the initial hearing with the Division of Unemployment Assistance, then at the Board of Review, the former employee appealed the decision to state court. After oral argument, the judge upheld the decision of the Board of Review, and found that the former employee was not entitled to unemployment benefits in Massachusetts , as her base of operations was in Tennessee, and she, therefore, was not an employee of the consulting firm in Massachusetts.

I am often contacted by people who believe their civil rights have been violated and want to file a lawsuit. However, many of these instances do not qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are some very general guidelines on what civil rights are protected under the ADA. Please note, civil rights cases are oftentimes very complicated and require individual case analysis and assessment.