In law school, you’ve probably focused mainly on
federal and state law. Municipal laws
can be very important in practice as well.
Today’s Columbus Dispatch illustrates with this article: Watterson’s
firing of gay teacher may violate city law
The facts: Carla Hale was fired by a school after her
mother’s obituary identified Hale’s partner, also a woman. The Dispatch summarizes the relevant law: “A Columbus city ordinance makes it a
misdemeanor for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on sexual
orientation. City law also states that an employer cannot have a policy that
discriminates based on sexual orientation. Those who are found
guilty could face up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.”
Curious to find the text of this law? Explore the text of the Columbus Municipal
Code here.
For more on local law research, read this short
piece by fellow law librarian Mary Whisner, a Greenbag
honoree.