Is Virtual Currency Here To Stay?
11/15/17
By: Matthew S. Jones
With the growing interest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, it was only a matter of time the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) weighed in on the legality of such “cryptocurrency”. …
Study Finds No Significant Impact of Body Cameras on Police Conduct or Citizen Complaints
11/13/17
By: Wesley C. Jackson
In response to recent high-profile officer-involved shootings, many commentators are touting police body cameras as a way to keep police accountable. The hypothesis is that when police and citizens know they are being watched, they are …
11th Circuit Does Not Mesh Around and Upholds $27M Judgment
11/13/17
By Samantha Skolnick
In a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Court upheld almost $27 million in judgments against Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC). The consolidated cases stemmed from women who claimed to have …
To FMLA or not FMLA, that is the question…
11/10/17
By: Christopher M. Curci
FMLA and ADA leave questions are some of the most frequent that we receive from our clients. Deciding whether an employee’s absence should be designated as FMLA leave, or granted as a reasonable accommodation under the …
New FINRA Rules to Bring Significant Changes to Qualification & Registration Process for Representatives and Principals
11/10/17
By: Patrick Y. Yoo
In October, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a new set of Rules proposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that will go into effect October 1, 2018. The changes enacted by these Rules …
What Do You Call Your Chicken?
11/9/17
By: Jason C. Dineros
McDonald’s, the world’s second largest fast food chain (behind Subway, for those wondering), is facing a potential class action for advertising its food items containing chicken breast as being comprised of “100%” breast meat. Primarily targeting …
Update on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) For Citizens of Nicaragua, Honduras, & El Salvador
11/9/17
By Kenneth S. Levine
On 11/6/2017 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement on the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for citizens of Nicaragua and Honduras. Currently, there are approximately 60,000 Nicaraguans and Hondurans who reside and work …
Pa. Supreme Court To Reconsider If Settlement Can Trigger Malpractice Suit
11/9/17
By: Barry S. Brownstein
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to reexamine the extent to which a settlement agreement can serve as the basis for a legal malpractice case. The case stems from Eileen McGuire’s efforts to sue a hospital …
Reminder: New York’s Paid Family Leave Program Goes Into Effect January 1, 2018
11/7/17
By: Robyn Flegal
In 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the nation’s most comprehensive paid family leave policy into law. New York will join California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey as the only states providing a paid family leave …
Scam Alert: USCIS Does Not Request Forms I-9 Via Email
11/7/17
By: Layli Eskandari Deal
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services has issued the following notice:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has learned that employers have received scam emails requesting Form I-9 information that appear to come from USCIS. Employers are …
Employers Beware: Use Of Biometric Technology Can Expose You To Troublesome Lawsuits (Especially In Illinois)
11/6/17
By: William E. Collins, Jr.
The recent spike in claims against employers involving employee biometric data is a reminder that employers across the country should use caution before implementing technology utilizing employee biometric information.
How and Why Employers Use Biometric …
Fire On the Mountain: Insurance Coverage Disputes Arising Under California Property Policies
11/6/17
By: Richard E. Wirick
No issue in insurance coverage could be more topical than fire losses. The Napa and Sonoma County fires, as well as lesser wildfire losses in the Anaheim area, may well give rise to more coverage disputes …