On Tuesday, Magistrate Judge Francis issued a Report and Recommendation to Judge Torres in which he recommended  denying class certification in a gender bias case against Goldman Sachs.  The plaintiffs allege that Goldman’s practices of “360 Reviews” (employee reviews by peers, subordinates and superiors) and “quartiling” (requiring managers to rank their employees by placing them in groups, or “quartiles,” from best to worst performers) discriminate against women. Judge Francis found that individualized causation and damages issues were too predominate for classwide treatment:
Continue Reading Judge Francis Recommends Denying Class Certification in Goldman Gender Bias Case

In an opinion today, Judge Torres granted the MTA summary judgment in a suit challenging the practice of charging higher bridge and tunnel tolls to customers using EZ Pass cards (or transponders) purchased out of state. She found no discrimination against out-of-staters because they, too, are free to purchase discounted, in-state EZ Pass transponders:
Continue Reading Judge Torres Rejects Commerce Clause Challenge to Higher EZ Pass Rates for Passes Bought Outside New York

In a 108-page opinion today, Judge Torres ruled that various police unions could not intervene to block or appeal the settlement of litigation concerning the police practice known as “stop-and-frisk.”  New York City and the plaintiffs have agreed to settlement terms, but Judge Torres found that the unions raised their objections too late and that, in any event, the unions lacked sufficient interest in the merits that were distinct from the interests of the City:
Continue Reading Judge Torres Denies Police Unions’ Request to Intervene in Stop-and-Frisk Litigation