Use of Drones in Law Enforcement – A Good Idea?
9/14/12
By: Sun Choy
USA Today recently reported that the International Association of Chiefs of Police issued advisory guidelines for the use of drones by law enforcement. While the number of drones in use is relatively low, the IACP anticipates …
Data Breach Rising Liability Concern For Businesses
9/11/12
By: Kelly Morrison
Data breaches and technology-related legal claims against companies, along with their officers and directors, are increasing. As this is a developing area of the law, awareness of the risk and associated liabilities are a weak point for …
"Show Me Your Papers" Upheld by Arizona Federal Judge, Echoing Georgia Ruling
9/7/12
By: Kelly Morrison
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Arizona authorities can enforce the most contentious section of the state’s immigration law, which critics have dubbed the “show me your papers” provision.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton …
Recent Court Rulings Suggest Homeowners’ Associations May Selectively Enforce Covenants
9/6/12
By: Marc Bardack
In two recent rulings, state trial court judges have rejected homeowner claims against homeowners associations (HOAs) for failing to enforce covenants against a neighbor. These rulings raise the question of whether HOA’s can enforce neighborhood covenants selectively …
FDIC Continues to Pursue Directors and Officers
9/4/12
By: Ben Mathis
The FDIC continues to file a number of claims around the country against directors and officers of failed financial institutions. Recent decisions in Georgia, however, have raised the bar in holding that the business judgement rule requires …
NLRB Finds Blanket Policy Requiring Employee Confidentiality During Internal Investigations Unlawful
9/1/12
By Brad Adler and La’Vonda McLean
In most employee investigations, employers understandably direct that the participants (including witnesses) refrain from discussing the investigation with other employees. Now, the employee-friendly NLRB has weighed in on this previous uncontroversial issue and placed …
Recent Court Rulings Suggest Homeowners’ Associations May Selectively Enforce Covenants
9/1/12
By Marc Bardack
In two recent rulings, state trial court judges have rejected homeowner claims against homeowners associations (HOAs) for failing to enforce covenants against a neighbor. These rulings raise the question of whether HOA’s can enforce neighborhood covenants selectively …
Beware Of Higher Minimum Wage – It May Not Be Too Far Away
8/29/12
By: Brad Adler
Recently, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 was introduced in Congress. This legislation would raise the federal minimum wage in three 85-cent steps from its current $7.25 an hour to $9.80 by the end of 2014. …
Law Firm Risk Management – Internal Review and Insurance Reporting Obligations
8/29/12
By: Seth Kirby
While the practice of law is a profession, managing a law practice is definitely a business. In addition to their primary responsibility of representing their clients, attorneys must actively manage their office. Depending upon the size of …
2012 Election Cycle: Major Business Concerns Include Immigration, Baseless Lawsuits
8/27/12
By: Kelly Morrison
The Eleventh Circuit recently weighed in on Georgia’s controversial Immigration Reform Act, restoring a provision which allows police to verify the immigration status of criminal suspects failing to produce appropriate identification. This mirrors the U.S. Supreme …
Electronic Medical Records – IT Guides for a New Frontier
8/27/12
By: Michael Eshman
It is clear that electronic medical records and exchanges are the wave of the future in healthcare. For better or worse, the electronic management and maintenance of files and records will transform the healthcare industry.
In December …
SEC Pays First Whistleblower Under Dodd-Frank
8/23/12
By: Ben Mathis
The SEC announced that it has paid $50,000 in the first whistleblower bounty. This program is a year old program and was authorized by the Dodd-Frank financial reform act. Is it the first of more to come? …