The Puerto Rico Supreme Court in San Juan. (Credit: Carl Fiorito-López)The Puerto Rico Supreme Court has ruled that the Office of the Women’s Advocate may pursue administrative penalties and court action at the same time against employers accused of sex or pregnancy discrimination. The decision clarifies that the agency’s administrative authority does not bar parallel court proceedings. The ruling also confirmed that the agency may file lawsuits in Puerto Rico courts on behalf of employees based on the same alleged conduct. The Court of Appeals agreed, but the Supreme Court reversed that decision.