FTC Approves New COPPA Safe Harbor Program
2/28/14
By: Matt Foree
To protect the privacy of children online, Congress enacted the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), which provides rules for operators of commercial websites and online services directed to or knowingly used by children under 13. Specifically, …
America’s Favorite Pastime – Litigation?
2/28/14
By: Frank Hupfl
While the rest of baseball reports to spring training in Florida and Arizona, three former minor league baseball players initiated an FLSA lawsuit against Major League Baseball in a California Federal Court last week. In their Complaint, …
The Questions That “Presence” Presents
2/28/14
By: Katie Dod
The Supreme Court recently further defined when law enforcement may enter a home pursuant to the consent of one resident of the home without violating the constitutional rights of other residents. It has long been established that …
House Bill 874 Introduced to Allow Third-Party Financing of Solar Power
2/21/14
By: Bobby Baker
Representative Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek) introduced HB 874, the Solar Power Free-Market Financing and Property Rights Act of 2014, which will eliminate the legislative barrier to business and residential consumers using third-party financing to install solar power. …
Georgia’s Insurance Prompt Payment Law Invalid
2/21/14
By: Jonathan Kandel
Last week, a federal appeals court found a portion of Georgia’s Insurance Prompt Payment law was preempted by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and, therefore was invalid. The law at issue, which is known …
Internships Can Be Costly For Employers
2/20/14
By: Joyce Mocek
Last week, an unpaid intern that worked for fashion house Alexander McQueen sued the British fashion label alleging that she should have been paid at least minimum wage during her four month internship. Unpaid internships have …
Washington Attempts to "Modernize" Immigration
2/20/14
By: Kelly Eisenlohr-Moul
Political pundits much savvier than me are predicting that immigration “reform” likely will pass in the next year. Below is a preview of the provisions employers can expect to see:
- Mandatory E-Verify: Although Georgia already requires
…
School’s Out For…. Construction
2/13/14
By: Stephanie Stewart
Earlier this month, the Marietta Daily Journal reported that major construction is planned for three schools in Cobb County. Walton High School, Wheeler High School, and Teasley Elementary School are all set to undergo major improvements. In …
BITCOIN COMPANIES TEST THE WATERS IN PROVIDING DEPOSIT INSURANCE
2/13/14
By: Abby A. Vineyard
Bitcoin is a new peer-to-peer digital currency that replaces the need for traditional money and essentially acts as “cash for the Internet.” Bitcoin users enjoy several benefits that users of traditional currency simply do not have …
Blowing The Whistle: Georgia's Whistleblower Act Waives A County's Entitlement To Sovereign Immunity
2/6/14
By: Ali Sabzevari
The doctrine of sovereign immunity set forth in the Georgia Constitution is often asserted as a defense to state law claims against counties. But in certain circumstances, an Act of the General Assembly can operate to waive …
Tips To Avoid Medicare Fraud Investigation
2/6/14
By: Scott Rees
Good intentions will not necessarily save a healthcare provider from an investigation and charge of healthcare fraud. Indeed, often times a provider will be charged with healthcare fraud even if he or she believed a legitimate service …
See Something? Say Something! Just Make Sure It’s Not Materially False.
2/5/14
By: William Ezzell
Last Tuesday, in Air Wisconsin v. Hoeper, No. 12-315, 2014 WL 27329, at *1 (U.S. Jan. 27, 2014), the U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling concerning the scope of immunity granted to airlines. That immunity is …