Law.com Covers Settlement with DOE in Whistleblower Case Involving Transgender Athletes

The Legal Intelligencer recently shared the news of a settlement in a whistleblower case negotiated with the U.S. Department of Education by Willig, Williams & Davidson employment law attorney Ryan Allen Hancock on behalf of attorney Dwayne Bensing, who worked in the department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

Litigation reporter Aleeza Furman wrote, “The complaint accused the DOE of retaliating against former Philadelphia-based OCR general attorney Dwayne Bensing after he drew attention to the OCR’s mishandling of a challenge to Connecticut’s policy of allowing transgender students to participate in sports in accordance to their gender identities. Bensing worked in the department while it was helmed by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. At the time, he said, ‘the federal government had taken a dark turn with regards to trans students.’”

Hancock, who chairs the firm’s Employment Law Group, noted that the Whistleblower Protection Act gives employees authority to disclose government information if they believe they are witnessing a violation of rules, laws or regulations, gross mismanagement or an abuse of power.

“My client saw something he believed to be unlawful, exercised his right to speak up, and lost his job,” Hancock said. “I am proud to represent such a brave individual.”

Read: Attorney Who Disclosed Attack on Trans Rights Has Settled Whistleblower Suit With US Education Dept