FMG’s BlogLine features an array of articles written by our attorneys who cover recent legal trends and developments both locally and nationally. Explore our blogs on a multitude of legal and industry topics.
1/27/10
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a federal guidance that prohibits commercial motor vehicle drivers from texting while driving. The prohibition is effective immediately and carries civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. This guidance is the latest step in the DOT’s ongoing effort to address distracted driving. The full text of…
EEOC Charges Reach Second Highest Level In 20 Years
1/1/10
By Brad Adler The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its 2009 fiscal year performance and accountability report, and the numbers continue to reflect that employment issues are a major liability concern for employers. During the EEOC’s 2009 fiscal year, more than 93,000 charges of discrimination were filed against private employers. This is the second…
Arbitration or Litigation, Now That is the Question!
1/1/10
By Will Tate During contract negotiations, members of the construction industry must decide whether to send their disputes (if any) to private arbitration or to litigation through the court system. Unfortunately, more times than not, these dispute resolution procedures are overlooked until it is too late. This article looks at the two procedures by which…
2010 Economic Forecast Predicts Continued Difficulties
1/1/10
By Ben Mathis Dr. Albert Niemi, currently the Dean of the Cox Business College at Southern Methodist University, recently gave his annual economic forecast at a meeting in Atlanta at the invitation of the Bank of North Georgia – a forecast he has given to Atlanta leaders for more than 10 years. His comments are…
Obama Signs COBRA Subsidy Extension
12/22/09
By: Kelly E. Morrison On Saturday, December 19, President Obama signed H.R. 3326, a defense appropriations bill with a continuation provision that will let involuntarily terminated workers seek the temporary 65% Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy extension until February 28, 2010.
New “Equal Employment Is The Law” Poster Released
12/4/09
By Bradley T. Adler and Jonathan J. Kandel The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently updated its “Equal Employment is the Law” poster. All employers subject to federal antidiscrimination statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”)…
FMLA Protections Expanded For Military Families.
10/30/09
On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010. Section 565 of the Act amends the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) by expanding the provisions enacted in 2008 for family members of military personnel. At the beginning of 2008, Congress created two kinds of leave for family members…
Insurers Beware: Extra-Contractual Liability Lurks In Policy Limits Demands
10/23/09
By: Phil Savrin and Darl Champion The Georgia Supreme Court has issued an important decision on an insurer’s exposure to extra-contractual damages when rejecting a settlement demand within policy limits. In Fortner v. Grange Mut. Ins. Co., Case No. 209G0492, 2009 WL 3334632 (Ga. Oct. 19, 2009), the insured was sued for injuries received in a car accident. The…
Federal Contractor E-Verify Requirement Upheld
8/28/09
By Benton J. Mathis, Jr. and Kelly E. Morrison On August 26, 2009, paving the way for full implementation on September 8, 2009, the US District Court for the District of Maryland upheld the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) E-Verify federal contractor rule, which requires certain federal contractors and subcontractors to register for and use the…