Unraveling ‘Reverse Discrimination’ with Leah Stiegler

Woods Rogers Principal and management-side employment attorney Leah Stiegler recently joined host Tom Hagy for her second appearance on The Emerging Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Leah explores how the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services could reshape the way workplace discrimination claims are evaluated.

The Court’s ruling rejects the long-standing “background circumstances rule,” which had imposed a heightened burden on white, heterosexual, or male plaintiffs alleging discrimination. As Leah explains, “There’s no such thing as reverse discrimination. It’s just discrimination.” The decision underscores that Title VII protections apply equally to all employees, regardless of demographic status.

For employers, HR professionals, and attorneys alike, this episode offers valuable context for understanding how discrimination law continues to evolve amid shifting cultural and legal landscapes.

Listen to Leah’s episode of The Emerging Litigation Podcast here or on your favorite podcast platform.