Case: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco v. Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

4:20-cv-09020 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 16, 2020

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 17, 2020, the Disability Rights Advocates filed this lawsuit in the San Francisco County Superior Court on behalf of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired—a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of persons who are blind or have low vision—and two of its employees. The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against Automatic Data Processing (“ADP”), a payroll processing and human resources corporation. The complaint alleged that ADP failed to make their products and servi…

On September 17, 2020, the Disability Rights Advocates filed this lawsuit in the San Francisco County Superior Court on behalf of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired—a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of persons who are blind or have low vision—and two of its employees. The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against Automatic Data Processing (“ADP”), a payroll processing and human resources corporation. The complaint alleged that ADP failed to make their products and services accessible to blind and visually impaired employees in violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act as well as California’s unfair competition law. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. On December 16, 2020, ADP removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. Upon removal, the case was assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler, but was reassigned to U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. approximately two weeks later.

On January 21, 2021, the parties sought to stay the litigation to facilitate negotiations, and the court granted the stipulation the following day. Approximately eight months later, the parties notified the court that they had reached an agreement to resolve this action. 

The parties entered into a structured settlement agreement, effective as of October 21, 2021. Per the agreement, ADP agreed to engage a third-party expert to identify and remediate accessibility barriers throughout ADP’s website and mobile applications, develop or enhance existing policy to incorporate accessibility into development and testing of ADP’s products, and provide customer service training to ADP employees and agents who provide user-side customer service to LightHouse regarding how to assist individuals who use screen readers. The agreement also stipulated that ADP would provide LightHouse with a progress update every three months regarding the accessibility improvements and policies required by the settlement. A confidential addendum was also executed with the agreement.

On October 27, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a stipulation to dismiss the case. The following day, the court granted the stipulation to dismiss the case with prejudice, with the court retaining jurisdiction over the case through October 22, 2024 to enforce the terms of the agreement. This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Saba Khan (1/5/2023)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18748582/parties/lighthouse-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-of-san-francisco-v/


Judge(s)

Gilliam, Haywood Stirling (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Riess, Melissa (California)

Seaborn, Stuart John (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Eden Edwards (California)

Launey, Kristina M. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

No. CGC-20-586626

Complex Case Complaint

California state trial court

Sept. 16, 2020

Sept. 16, 2020

Complaint

4:20-cv-09020

Settlement Agreement

Oct. 21, 2021

Oct. 21, 2021

Settlement Agreement
30

4:20-cv-09020

Order on Stipulation

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18748582/lighthouse-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-of-san-francisco-v/

Last updated March 9, 2024, 3:07 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

NOTICE OF REMOVAL from San Francisco County Superior Court. Their case number is CGC-20-586626. (Filing fee $402 receipt number 0971-15325270). Filed byAutomatic Data Processing, Inc., ADP TotalSource, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER
2

Certificate of Interested Entities by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. identifying Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP Atlantic, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource Group, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP, Inc. for ADP TotalSource, Inc.; Corporate Parent Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP Atlantic, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource Group, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP, Inc. for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. re 1 Notice of Removal, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER
3

Corporate Disclosure Statement by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. identifying Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource, Inc. for ADP TotalSource, Inc.; Corporate Parent Automatic Data Processing, Inc. for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. re 1 Notice of Removal, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER
4

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. Counsel is required to send chambers a copy of the initiating documents pursuant to L.R. 5-1(e)(7). A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 12/30/2020. (mbcS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER
5

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. re 2 Certificate of Interested Entities,, 1 Notice of Removal, 3 Certificate of Interested Entities, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

Dec. 16, 2020

Dec. 16, 2020

PACER
6

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order for Cases Asserting Denial of Right of Access under Americans with Disabilities Act. (slhS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/17/2020) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

Dec. 17, 2020

Dec. 17, 2020

PACER
7

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. re 6 Initial Case Management Scheduling Order - ADA Case (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/17/2020) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

Dec. 17, 2020

Dec. 17, 2020

PACER
8

STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 12/22/2020) (Entered: 12/22/2020)

Dec. 22, 2020

Dec. 22, 2020

PACER
9

CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc... (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/28/2020) (Entered: 12/28/2020)

Dec. 28, 2020

Dec. 28, 2020

PACER
10

CLERK'S NOTICE OF IMPENDING REASSIGNMENT TO A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Clerk of this Court will now randomly reassign this case to a District Judge because either (1) a party has not consented to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge, or (2) time is of the essence in deciding a pending judicial action for which the necessary consents to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction have not been secured. You will be informed by separate notice of the district judge to whom this case is reassigned. ALL HEARING DATES PRESENTLY SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CURRENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ARE VACATED AND SHOULD BE RE-NOTICED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO WHOM THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED. This is a text only docket entry; there is no document associated with this notice. (ejkS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/28/2020) (Entered: 12/28/2020)

Dec. 28, 2020

Dec. 28, 2020

PACER

Clerk's Notice of Impending Reassignment - Text Only

Dec. 28, 2020

Dec. 28, 2020

PACER
11

ORDER, Case Reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge Haywood S Gilliam, Jr for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler no longer assigned to the case.. Signed by The Clerk on 12/29/20. (haS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/29/2020) (Entered: 12/29/2020)

Dec. 29, 2020

Dec. 29, 2020

PACER
12

Corporate Disclosure Statement by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 1/12/2021) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER
13

Certificate of Interested Entities by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 1/12/2021) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

Jan. 12, 2021

Jan. 12, 2021

PACER
14

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Stay Litigation filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauridsen, Lighthoue for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 1/21/2021) Modified on 1/22/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 01/21/2021)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER
15

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. GRANTING 14 STIPULATION TO STAY LITIGATION. (amgS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/22/2021) (Entered: 01/22/2021)

Jan. 22, 2021

Jan. 22, 2021

PACER
16

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Extend Stay of Litigation filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin Lauridsen, and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 4/28/2021) Modified on 4/29/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 04/28/2021)

April 28, 2021

April 28, 2021

PACER
17

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 16 Stipulation to Extend Stay of Litigation. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 4/29/2021) (Entered: 04/29/2021)

April 29, 2021

April 29, 2021

RECAP
18

ORDER by Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. DIRECTING the parties to provide the Court with a status update on the progress of settlement efforts, as contemplated by Dkt. No. 16 the parties' notice of Structured Negotiations Agreement. Parties shall file a statement of two pages or less by June 9, 2021. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (hsglc2S, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/2/2021) (Entered: 06/02/2021)

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

PACER

Order

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

PACER
19

NOTICE of Withdrawal of Attorney Shira J. Tevah by Shira J Tevah (Tevah, Shira) (Filed on 6/7/2021) Modified on 6/8/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/07/2021)

June 7, 2021

June 7, 2021

PACER
20

JOINT STATUS REPORT on Structured Negotiation Settlement Efforts by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauriden, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, and Frank Welte. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 6/9/2021) Modified on 6/10/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/09/2021)

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

PACER
21

STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauridsen, Frank Welte, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visutally Impaired of San Francisco. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 6/16/2021) Modified on 6/17/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/16/2021)

June 16, 2021

June 16, 2021

PACER
22

Third Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin Lauridsen, and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 7/20/2021) Modified on 7/21/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 07/20/2021)

July 20, 2021

July 20, 2021

PACER
23

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 22 Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 7/21/2021) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

July 21, 2021

July 21, 2021

RECAP
24

Fourth Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin l=Lauridsen and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 8/19/2021) Modified on 8/20/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 08/19/2021)

Aug. 19, 2021

Aug. 19, 2021

PACER
25

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 24 Fourth Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/20/2021) (Entered: 08/20/2021)

Aug. 20, 2021

Aug. 20, 2021

RECAP
26

Notice of Settlement of ADA Access Case by Meredith Jayne Weaver (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 9/17/2021) (Entered: 09/17/2021)

Sept. 17, 2021

Sept. 17, 2021

RECAP
27

ORDER by Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. DIRECTING the parties to provide the Court with a status update explaining when the parties anticipate filing the stipulation for dismissal, as contemplated by Dkt. No. 26 the parties' notice of settlement. Parties shall file a statement of two pages or less by October 29, 2021. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (hsglc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/26/2021) (Entered: 10/26/2021)

Oct. 26, 2021

Oct. 26, 2021

PACER

Order

Oct. 26, 2021

Oct. 26, 2021

PACER
28

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Dismiss Case filed by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Proposed Order)(Riess, Melissa) (Filed on 10/27/2021) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

1

View on RECAP

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

PACER
29

CLERK'S NOTICE TO COUNSEL RE DOCKET NO. 28 . The Judge's name is Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. In the future, the signature line of all proposed orders submitted should include Jr. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (ndr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/28/2021) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

PACER
30

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 28 Stipulation to Dismiss Case. (ndr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/28/2021) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

Clearinghouse

Clerk's Notice

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

PACER
31

NOTICE of Change In Counsel Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Riess, Melissa) (Filed on 12/3/2021) Modified on 12/6/2021 (slh, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/03/2021)

Dec. 3, 2021

Dec. 3, 2021

PACER

Electronic Filing Error

Dec. 6, 2021

Dec. 6, 2021

PACER

Electronic filing error re: 31 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney filed by Erin Lauridsen, Frank Welte, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco. Incorrect event used. [err101] Corrected by Clerk's Office. No further action is necessary. (slh, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/6/2021)

Dec. 6, 2021

Dec. 6, 2021

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 16, 2020

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A non-profit organization that promotes independence, equality, and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

State Anti-Discrimination Law

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 2021 - 2024

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Reporting

Training

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Visual impairment

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)