Terrence Boyle Withdraws from Federal Appeals Court Nomination: Lambda Legal Celebrates

(New York, January 9, 2007) — Upon learning that Terrence Boyle had withdrawn his candidacy for the United States Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit, Lambda Legal’s Executive Director Kevin Cathcart issued the following statement:

“By making clear that Judge Boyle’s nomination would face serious opposition, congressional leadership has moved toward fulfilling the promise of judicial fairness for all Americans.

When Lambda Legal opposed his nomination in March 2005 our research found that his record showed a clear hostility towards civil rights claims and blatant disregard for the law.”

Cathcart also said Lambda Legal was particularly concerned about Boyle’s approach to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including HIV. In numerous decisions, Boyle ignored clearly established legal precedent on the ADA. He ruled that courts should defer to an employer’s opinion of whether a reasonable accommodation has been made to a disabled employee. At the time that Lambda Legal opposed Boyle’s nomination there were no cases in the public record where Boyle ruled in favor of a plaintiff in an ADA case.

Courting Justice is Lambda Legal’s education campaign designed to add the organization’s unique perspective to the fight to defend fair and impartial courts. The campaign seeks to ensure that LGBT and HIV-affected people know what’s at stake and how to get involved in efforts to defend fair and impartial courts at the federal and state levels. As part of the Courting Justice campaign, Lambda Legal launched a special website to provide critical information about the role of the courts in protecting civil rights and current threats to that role. More information about Courting Justice can be found on its website at: www.lambdalegal.org/courtingjustice.

###

Contact: Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext: 266