Publications and Presentations
Offit Kurman Attorney Debbie Petito Featured in Law360’s 2025 Vaccine Case Preview
Offit Kurman Principal and Labor and Employment Practice Group Leader Debbie Petito was featured in the Law360 article “3 COVID-19 Vaccine Cases to Keep an Eye On in 2025.” Debbie commented on Bordeaux v. Lions Gate Entertainment Inc., a Ninth Circuit case involving religious discrimination claims over workplace vaccination mandates.
Actress Andrea Bordeaux alleges that her dismissal from the television show “Run the World” violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 after she refused to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements. At the Ninth Circuit oral arguments, the court considered the high costs of accommodating Bordeaux’s unvaccinated status, including the need for separate safety protocols on set.
Debbie highlighted the unique challenges the case presents, noting, “This is just so out of whack with what normally would happen in those cases. The costs are so expensive, and so it’s a strange thing because she has to be there — they can’t have her work from home.”
The Ninth Circuit’s decision is expected to shape employer obligations under Title VII as vaccine litigation continues to evolve.
Read the full article here (subscription required): 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Cases To Keep An Eye On In 2025 - Law360 Employment Authority
