Erika Collins Speaks With Bloomberg Law About Supreme Court Ruling's Impact on Forced Labor Claims

Labor and employment partner Erika Collins spoke with Bloomberg Law about how companies should prepare for increased scrutiny of global supply chains following the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Cisco Systems Inc. v. Doe that narrowed certain human rights claims against corporations.

“Companies are advised to probe and address risks related to human trafficking and forced labor in their supply chains, and to prepare for a new legal frontier as plaintiffs’ legal strategies evolve,” said Collins.

“Merely purchasing goods isn’t enough for liability but providing financial and technical support or control or shared purpose” can trigger legal exposure, she explained.

Cases often turn on whether companies knew or should’ve known about forced labor concerns before litigation, said Collins. Prior public reporting on violations or other allegations “all put a company on notice,” she said.