In a unanimous decision in Syeed v. Bloomberg, written by Judge Madeline Singas, the Court of Appeals answered a certified question from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by holding that the New York City and New York State Human Rights Laws banning employment discrimination protect out-of-state residents who are not yet located or employed in New York but who sought an opportunity to work in New York.

The plaintiff alleged that she was subjected to discrimination on the basis of race and sex while working for the defendant in Washington, D.C. The defendant is a privately held company with global headquarters in New York City. In 2018, after determining that she could no longer advance her career in Washington, D.C., the plaintiff applied for various positions that would require her to work in the defendant’s New York offices. One of the positions was ultimately filled by a man who allegedly had less practical experience and less formal education than the plaintiff.