Linda Coberly Discusses Recent Supreme Court Rulings on WTTW Chicago Tonight  

Winston & Strawn partner Linda Coberly appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight on June 30, 2014, to discuss two recent Supreme Court decisions.

Ms. Coberly discussed the 5-4 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which ruled that that two closely held for-profit corporations do not have to provide a full range of contraceptives at no cost to their employees pursuant to the Affordable Care Act.

The decision was based on a federal statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Under this statute, Ms. Coberly explained, a corporation owned by one family is entitled to protection of that family’s religious liberty.

“It's not a decision, for example, that would apply to a publicly traded corporation or a differently structured corporation,” Ms. Coberly noted.

Ms. Coberly also discussed the decision in Harris v. Quinn that ruled home health care workers in Illinois cannot be forced to financially support a union they do not wish to join. Ms. Coberly noted that it was a fairly narrow decision, affecting only a specific group of employees.

Linda Coberly is based in Winston & Strawn’s Chicago office and chairs the firm’s Appellate and Critical Motions practice.