Authored by Rob Whitman

Seyfarth Synopsis: Unpaid interns for Hearst magazines have been rebuffed again in their effort to be declared eligible to receive wages under the FLSA and the New York Labor Law.

In an August 24, 2016 ruling, Judge J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York held that six interns, who worked for Marie
Continue Reading In Final Exam, Court Rejects Hearst Interns’ Pay Claims

Co-authored by Robert Whitman and Adam J. Smiley

Seyfarth Synopsis: Fox Searchlight and Fox Entertainment Group have reached a preliminary settlement with a group of former unpaid interns, possibly resolving the lawsuit that resulted in a Second Circuit decision that redefined the test used to evaluate whether interns are properly classified under the FLSA.

As this blog has previously reported
Continue Reading That’s a Wrap: Fox Reaches Deal with Unpaid Interns

Co-authored by Rob Whitman, Adam Smiley, and Nadia Bandukda

A federal judge has sided with Gawker in the media company’s legal battle with a former unpaid intern who claimed that he should have been compensated as an employee. On March 29th, Judge Alison Nathan in the Southern District of New York granted Gawker’s motion for summary judgment and
Continue Reading Gawker Victory Against Unpaid Interns Provides Helpful Roadmap

Co-authored by Robert Whitman and Adam Smiley

Spring is around the corner, with summer not far behind, so thoughts naturally turn to the obvious topic: internships.

Although the volume of new lawsuits by unpaid interns challenging their status has abated significantly since the Second Circuit issued its decision in July 2015 announcing a new legal standard and rejecting the Department
Continue Reading Closure For Second Circuit Intern Case, But Risks Persist Nationally

internship blog image 8.jpgCo-authored by Robert Whitman and Adam Smiley

While most New Yorkers rode out last weekend’s blizzard by binge watching television or enjoying playoff football, three Second Circuit judges apparently spent their time more productively, as the court on Monday issued an amended decision in its landmark ruling from last summer on unpaid internships.

As we have previously reported, the
Continue Reading Second Circuit Leaves Interns in the Cold—Again

Co-authored by Robert Whitman and Meredith-Anne Berger

Blog readers who have been following the recent wave of wage and hour lawsuits by interns will recall that the Second Circuit, in a major decision issued in early July, held that the “primary beneficiary” test should govern whether interns were properly classified as such or should have been treated as full-fledged
Continue Reading Another Blow to DOL Position on Internships

Co-authored by Robert WhitmanAdam J. Smiley, and Meredith-Anne Berger

As this blog previously reported, a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit ruled against two separate groups of interns in early July, applying the “primary beneficiary” test—to evaluate whether unpaid interns are trainees not entitled to wages or employees who must be paid—and stating that conditional and
Continue Reading Full Court Press for Interns at Second Circuit?

Co-authored by Robert Whitman, Adam Smiley, and Meredith-Anne Berger

In a closely watched case affecting the viability of unpaid internship programs at for-profit employers, the Second Circuit held that the “primary beneficiary” test should be used to decide whether interns should be deemed employees or trainees. The court also held that this test requires highly individualized inquiries —
Continue Reading Second Circuit Teaches Unpaid Interns a Lesson

Co-authored by Robert S. Whitman and Adam J. Smiley

The Second Circuit heard arguments this morning in two cases that raise critical issues for the fate of internships in for-profit businesses: Fox Searchlight’s appeal of the decision granting summary judgment and class certification to interns who worked on film productions, and the appeal by former Hearst Corporation interns whose motion
Continue Reading Live From New York – It’s The Second Circuit (Unpaid Intern Case)!

Co-authored by Robert S. WhitmanNadia S. Bandukda, Adam J. Smiley, and Jade Wallace

The Super Bowl isn’t the only major showdown coming this weekend.

On Friday morning, a three-judge Second Circuit panel will hear argument in two cases raising critical issues for the fate of internships in for-profit businesses:  (1) Fox Searchlight’s appeal of the decision
Continue Reading Unpaid Internship Showdown at the Second Circuit