Need-to-know: replacing AWAs Aug 20, 2008
Source: Employment Law Practical Handbook by Charles Power www. workplacehandbook. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Nevada Jury Awards Inventor Gil Hyatt $388 Million Against California's Taxing Agency Aug 18, 2008
Mr. Hyatt was grateful for the verdict rendered by the jury and stated that he "hoped this will prevent other taxpayers from going through the same nightmare I have had to endure for over a decade." About Hutchison en, LLC Hutchison en, a Martindale-Hubbell(R) AV-rated law firm, provides a wide variety of legal services, including business and commercial litigation, real estate, appellate litigation, creditor's rights, construction law, employment law, insurance litigation, landlord/tenant law,... (PR Newswire)
Use caution when it comes to terminations Aug 17, 2008
I consulted with Josh Black, managing partner at Bello Black & Welsh, a Boston firm specializing in employment law to confirm your legal obligations. According to Black, "There is no legal reason for a company not to require a resigning employee to leave sooner than his or her desired separation date. In most instances, expediting the departure does not trigger any obligation to pay severance. Obviously, any written severance policy should be consulted, as a policy can create a contractual... (Boston Globe)
Who Represents America's Biggest Companies 2008: Labor Pains Aug 16, 2008
But companies are also consolidating their labor and employment law portfolios and hiring fewer firms, says Newport Beach, Calif. legal consultant Peter Zeughauser. (Law.com)
Employers tied in knots Aug 16, 2008
It s as complicated as medical marijuana, said Nancy Sheehan, another Sacramento attorney who specializes in employment law. If I had a prescription for medical marijuana, I could go out and buy it in California. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Anderson Kill & Olick Comments on Second Circuit Decision Denying Right of the Family of John P. O'Neill and Other Victims of 9/11 to Pursue Case Against Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Aug 15, 2008
About Anderson Kill , P.C. Anderson Kill , P.C. practices law in the areas of Insurance Recovery, Commercial Litigation, Corporate ities, Employment Law, Real Estate, Tax, Trusts es, and Bankruptcy. The firm's senior attorneys maintain national and international practices from offices in New York City, Newark, NJ, Philadelphia, PA and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit Contact: Andrew Sprung 646-792-3739. (PR Newswire)
Arizona State University tenured faculty member files civil rights lawsuit against Arizona Board of Regents, ASU President Michael Crow and other ASU officials Aug 14, 2008
PHOENIX, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Theresa Cameron filed suit today in the U.S. District Court in Phoenix seeking an injunction and other relief against the Arizona Board of Regents; Arizona State University, President Michael Crow; departing Dean of the ASU College of Design, Wellington "Duke" Reiter; Associate Dean Kenneth Brooks; and the former director of the College's School of Planning, Hemalata Dandekar, alleging violations of federal civil rights and employment laws that make it... (PR Newswire)
Sex misconduct in Cobb court? Aug 13, 2008
Cobb retained the labor and employment law firm of Fisher ips. As of July, the county had paid about $50,000 in fees to the firm. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Web can be a dirty window for Hawaii job recruiters Aug 12, 2008
There is no law that prohibits employers from conducting online background checks through social networking sites but they can't snoop around in a password-protected area that's meant to be private, said Sarah Wang, a partner at employment law firm. Wang agrees that information voluntarily placed in the public domain is fair game. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Calif. High Court Brightens Rule Against Non-Compete Pacts Aug 9, 2008
In a ruling long awaited by the employment law sector, the (pdf). In Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, S147190, the unanimous court held that a state statute with roots in 19th century laws gives California workers great freedom to switch jobs, to compete against old employers and to solicit former clients. (Law.com)
In Review of High Court Term, Justice Kennedy Still the Man in the Middle Aug 8, 2008
One area in which business was not successful this term was in employment law. It lost : under the federal sector provision of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act in , 128 S. Ct. (Law.com)
Arbitrator rules Alaska Airlines violated union contract Aug 8, 2008
Depending on the outcome, the company can appeal the ruling in federal court, said Herman Wacker, Alaska Airlines managing director of labor and employment law and associate general counsel, in a statement. Reader Comments. (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
Four-day week is catching Aug 8, 2008
As long as gas prices remain high, compressed work weeks and other options to ease commuting costs, such as telecommuting, are likely to remain hot topics of discussions, said Barbara Rigo, a shareholder with the Philadelphia office of the employment law firm Littler Mendelson. I think people are still open to the idea of exploring it, but I know some companies have had issues with it, Rigo said. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
* Female applicant wins claim after losing out on job Aug 8, 2008
Chen said she believed the ministrys screening and selection process for the position was discriminatory against women, had violated the Gender Equality in Employment Law (u@k) and had tarnished her name. The Taipei court said in its ruling that although a candidates ability to raise money can be taken into consideration when selecting a university president, gender and fund-raising ability are not directly related. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Moving through late night quickly Aug 6, 2008
The law firm has snagged Gerald Richardson as of counsel to lead its new labor and employment law division. Recently of the , he has almost 30 years of experience in the specialty, and over the last 10 years has won 86 percent of his clients' cases resolved by litigation, said John Michener, a member of the management committee at Evans & Dixon, which has annual revenue of $15. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Slow economy forecast for fall election Aug 4, 2008
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) finds 12 states with unemployment rates already over 6 percent. "A lot of the job loss is in the Midwest," says Christine Owens, national director of NELP. "The economy is their No. 1 issue.". (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Hoge Fenton hires three lawyers in San Jose Aug 4, 2008
Hoge Fenton does work in business deals, bankruptcy, mergers & acquisitions, intellectual property, labor and employment law, and other areas. Its real estate group uses the web address "dirtlawyer.com". (San Francisco Business Journal)
Country club workers entitled to payment Aug 4, 2008
EEOC Newark area director Corrado Gigante wrote to the former employees that the park commission violated federal employment law. "Credible testimony confirms that (the workers) did not have the poor performance issues to the extent" the county alleged they did, Gigante wrote. (NJ.com -- Times)
U.S. unemployment at 5.7%, highest level since 2004 Aug 3, 2008
"It's pretty clear the tax rebate, while it helped a little bit, really didn't do what had been hoped in terms of providing some spark for the economy," said Christine Owens, executive director of the nonprofit National Employment Law Project. The softness in employment makes it likely that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its regular rate-setting meeting next week. (Yahoo News -- U.S. Economy)
Print Edition Aug 2, 2008
Members: Not Registered. for free extra services. (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
Payrolls Down 51K, Jobless Rate at 4-Year High Aug 2, 2008
"More must be done to prime the economy's pump and put America back to work," said Christine Owens, director of the National Employment Law Project. "Our economy continues to work its way through current challenges," said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. (SmartMoney)
Troyer Lawsuit Alleges Ex Picked Him Up, Threw Him On Ground Aug 1, 2008
Among Shrider's co-defendants in the lawsuit are several people Troyer claims acted as brokers "to exploit the videotape." One of the alleged brokers, Okorie Okorocha, is a attorney who works at a law firm specializing in sexual harassment and employment law cases. When reached by telephone Wednesday, Okorocha said he was approached by "an offshore client" who acquired the rights to the tape from Shrider. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Buckley's chance of a court resort Jul 29, 2008
But the verdict from some of the country's top employment lawyers is already clear: they have Buckley's chance ... "The courts will not make an order saying he has to play for the Bulldogs because he may turn up and play poorly," Professor Mark Davison, an employment law specialist at Monash University in Melbourne, said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Attorney jumps to Bullivant as firm grows employment practice Jul 28, 2008
Employment law is not a core practice area at Diepenbrock Harrison, but it s a growing one at Bullivant particularly in a down economy when layoffs prompt wrongful termination complaints and other types of litigation. Susan is a very accomplished trial lawyer who really adds to the depth of our trial bench in Sacramento, said Sacramento lawyer and Bullivant board chair Taylor Florence. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Spencer Fane restructures into business, litigation divisions Jul 28, 2008
Fretwell, the former head of the financial services group, and Drake, a commercial and employment law attorney, are both based in the Kansas City area. Mike Saunders, chairman of Spencer Fane, said the restructuring is meant to better assist clients beyond the traditional way of addressing issues. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
PPD major gets FBI-style training Jul 27, 2008
He said the criminal law update dealt mostly with federal laws, focusing on constitutional law and employment law, as it relates to individual cases for police administrators along with each particular state of residency laws. Another favorite of his was the leadership and ethics class he said is "designed to reinvigorate you in your profession. It was nice to finish this class and realize that no one becomes a police officer to get rich but instead to do service for the community.". (Pontiac Daily Leader, IL)
Could Age Discrimination Be Good Business? Jul 26, 2008
Hayes hired Murray Schwartz, an attorney who specializes in employment law. He's won millions suing companies for age discrimination, though companies seldom say age was the reason. (ABC News -- Business)
Jack Swarbrick Appointed Director Of Athletics At Notre Dame Jul 22, 2008
An employment law specialist, Swarbrick soon shifted his focus to sports and quickly became active in the city's initiatives. As a member of the Indiana Sports Corp., including the chairmanship from 1992 to 2001, Swarbrick led many of the city's successful proposals to a wide array of athletics organizations - from the NFL to the U.S. Olympic Committee to the Big Ten Conference. (Und.com)
Wisconsin may have to borrow from feds to pay jobless claims Jul 21, 2008
The report by the National Employment Law Project, of New York, drew on a commonly used measure of how long the money in a state s jobless claims fund would be able to cover the higher payments that the state has averaged in past recessions. A federal advisory has recommended that state funds be able to handle a full year of these peak-level payments without using its incoming tax money. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Congress Aims to Expand the ADA Jul 19, 2008
Bill would reverse two U.S. Supreme Court employment law cases. Marcia Coyle. (Law.com)
Opinion: Russia's Kontinental Hockey League a threat Jul 18, 2008
Then, working with willing allies in the Russian government, a raft of reforms in Russian employment law have gone into effect, all with the aim of making it more difficult for young prospects to play overseas. What's worse, the Russians have managed to conv 00001E05 ince every other European hockey federation of the justice of their cause, and now the entire continent stands united against the NHL on the player transfer issue. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Swarbrick named new Notre Dame Athletic Director Jul 18, 2008
I am delighted that he has accepted our offer and look forward to working closely with him," he added. Raised in Yonkers, N.Y., and Bloomington, Ind., Swarbrick is a 1976 magna cum laude graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in economics. Upon graduating from Stanford Law School in 1980, he returned to Indiana to accept a position as an associate in the Indianapolis law firm Baker and Daniels. He was made partner in 1987.At the same time that Swarbrick began his career, the city of... (Niles Star, MI)
Del Grande group buys up Bob Lewis auto businesses Jul 18, 2008
The dealership also owes the State Board of Equalization $204,800 in sales taxes; and Half Moon Bay labor and employment law firm Fine, Boggs & Perkins $369,981. The dealership sale to Del Grande was approved by the bankruptcy court. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Buchanan Ingersoll sets transition plan for CEO Jul 16, 2008
Buchanan had suffered some tough blows in 2001 and 2002 when its 20-lawyer Princeton, N.J., office was entirely picked off by Boston's , and San Francisco-based employment law boutique Littler Mendelson PC cherry-picked several members of Buchanan's labor law practice group in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Non-Pittsburgh offices clamored for more power in decision-making. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Seven-Strong Employment Team Quits Gide in Paris Jul 15, 2008
Leading French law firm has lost high-profile employment partner Joel Grange along with a six-lawyer team to labor and employment law boutique. Grange, who has coordinated the employment law department at Gide, will become a name partner at the boutique, which will now rebrand as Flichy Grange Avocats ... Grange added: "We are very pleased to join a firm of distinguished reputation with a strong international approach, where employment law is at the heart of the strategy. I know this team well... (Law.com)
As jobs dwindle, some take work that's not ideal Jul 14, 2008
Sources: Georgia Department of Labor; National Employment Law Project. Vote for this story. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Jobless benefits extension: Who's eligible Jul 3, 2008
Maurice Emsellem of the National Employment Law Project says low-income workers, who are often new to the workforce or have gaps in employment, are most likely to be hurt by the 20-week rule. Q: How much is the extended benefit. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Business Briefs Jul 1, 2008
Sign up Now for News Updates Email. Tuesday 01 July, 2008. (Woodlands Villager, TX)
Long quiet, justices end their term with a growl Jul 1, 2008
One exception to the trend in the increasingly busy business docket was in the area of employment law, where the court reaffirmed employee rights to sue over alleged civil rights violations. The current lineup of justices has been in place for roughly two-and-a-half years, since Alito took his seat. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Most employees can be terminated at any time Jun 29, 2008
I consulted Jeffrey A. Dretler, a partner in the employment law group at Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye LLP. Dretler explains: "When employees are sent on special one-day work assignments (like the workshop you attended), the travel time is generally considered to be hours worked, because the travel is conducted for the employer's benefit and to meet the employer's needs."Whether or not you receive 'personal benefit' from the workshop is irrelevant to the inquiry of whether the extra 90 minutes... (Boston Globe)
SRC board approves bond issue for projects at Havana, Rushville, Macomb Jun 29, 2008
Approved the firm of Davis and Campbell of Peoria through June 2009 to provide services and advice concerning matters pertaining to employment law. Comments. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Supreme Court Term Is Mixed For Business, But Wins Were Big Jun 28, 2008
Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce counted seven cases as losses to business, including five cases that favored workers in employment law-related disputes and two cases that make it easier for companies to be sued ... Although business suffered several losses on employment law, the impact of those losses may be minimal. (CNNMoney.com)
Company-owned devices: Handle with care Jun 28, 2008
" Banker and blogger beware Clearly, if you're surfing the Net, searching job boards, playing games or visiting political blogs even if on your own time those aren't the tasks for which you were issued a business computer, said Edward Buckley, an attorney with Buckley , an Atlanta employment law firm. "If it's a business tool, use it for business. Don't chat with your girlfriend or boyfriend on your company e-mail account," he said. Set up a personal account or, better yet, use your own... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Supreme Court dismisses damages award against Honda Jun 28, 2008
The award was the biggest in the history of Canadian employment law. However, the Ontario Court of Appeal later reduced the punitive damages to $100,000. (CTV.ca)
Jackson Lewis Opens Office in Memphis Jun 27, 2008
making it the sixth new location for the labor and employment law firm this year. James R. Mulroy II serves as resident manager of the Memphis office. (Law.com)
Bill extends jobless benefits 13 weeks Jun 27, 2008
The National Employment Law Project estimates that 4 million workers will be eligible for the extension over the next year, including 1. 1 million workers who will be immediately eligible for assistance. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
The 'Other Obama' Honed Her Skills at Sidley Austin Jun 25, 2008
During her years at Harvard, from 1985 to 1988, Obama was exposed to a range of legal issues that she would face in future jobs, from employment law to tax finance, and her problem-solving and negotiating skills enabled her to handle those duties, Ogletree said. Obama joined Sidley's Chicago office in 1988 as part of the marketing and intellectual property practice group, handling transactional, antitrust and other matters. (Law.com)
Pace of New Law Firm Offices Is Brisk Jun 25, 2008
Also opening a San Francisco office was , a 392-attorney labor and employment law firm with roots in the Southeast. Still another law firm branching out to the West Coast was Roseland, N.J.-based. (Law.com)
When fraud strikes Jun 25, 2008
Stick to company policy and employment law. If the fraud was brought to light by a whistleblower the team will need to consider any actions regarding how this witness should be treated. (Accounting Web, UK)
H. Morgan Griffith to Join Albo & Oblon, L.L.P. Jun 24, 2008
Albo , L.L.P., founded in 1995, is one of Virginia's 50 largest law firms and has offices in Arlington, Fairfax, Norfolk/Hampton Roads, Roanoke/Salem, and Washington, D.C. The firm practices employment law, government contracts, business law/civil litigation, and criminal defense. "Albo is one of Virginia's newer statewide firms, but is off to a great start," said Griffith. (PR Newswire)
Age-discrimination ruling ho-hum in California Jun 22, 2008
California courts are not bound by federal employment law, but most already apply a standard similar to what the Supreme Court ordered in Meacham. -- Even in cases filed in California under federal law, "Meacham has no significant impact, since federal law as applied in California has long held what Meacham holds, that it is the employer's burden in a disparate impact case to prove that reasonable factors other than age motivated their action," he says. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Supreme Court says employers can use state funds to counter union activities Jun 21, 2008
"Silencing employer speech goes against the principles of this country and the principles of the National Labor Relations Act, and the Court has recognized that," said Michael J. Lotito, a partner at the national employment law firm Jackson Lewis LLP.. The United States Chamber of Commerce and other employer groups brought a lawsuit in federal district court against the California Attorney General's Office in 2002. (San Jose Business Journal)
Laid Off? Here's How to Stay Afloat Jun 20, 2008
Here's How to Stay Afloat (Deal of the Day: Personal Finance) at SmartMoney (SmartMoney)
Reservist Locked Out Of Old Wachovia Job Wins Lawsuit Jun 19, 2008
Beth Sherman, who works in the Pentagon's office of employer support of the guard and reserves, said the office received more than 13,000 requests for information about military employment law in 2007. Of those calls, she said, 430 ended up being irreconcilable disputes that were ultimately investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice or litigated by private attorneys. (FOX61, CT)
OSHA accepts anonymous complaints Jun 15, 2008
I consulted with David Conforto, founder and managing partner of Conforto Law Group, a Boston-based firm concentrating in employment law. He said, "Congress passed the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in an effort to reduce the number and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses. One section of this act contains broad language requiring employers to ensure working conditions 'which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious... (Boston Globe)
Be careful when asking questions at interviews Jun 11, 2008
In a recent presentation to human resources officers, employment law attorney Shelly Freeman gave a rundown of questions that should be considered prohibited in virtually all pre-job-offer conversations. Space doesn't allow a comprehensive list, but in addition to pregnancy queries, some of the forbidden pre-offer probes would concern: Medical conditions. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
CMS Austrian Member Adds With Local Merger Jun 10, 2008
Rohrwig Hainz is one of the founding members of the CMS alliance and specializes in commercial and employment law. The firm opened two new offices this year, in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Law.com)
An IR35 refresher By Nichola Ross Martin Jun 10, 2008
the contract to supply those services is made between the individual's own limited company, or partnership, and the end client, and. the circumstances of the arrangement are such that, if the individual had contracted directly with the client, he would be regarded as an employee of that client. (Accounting Web, UK)
Monthly growth in unemployment rate is biggest in over 20 years Jun 8, 2008
Californians have been particularly affected by expiring unemployment benefits, with 1 million losing their payments in the last year, said Maurice Emsellem, policy co-director of the National Employment Law Project. "There's every indication the situation will get much worse before it gets better," Emsellem added. (Yahoo News -- U.S. Economy)
Agriprocessors hires former prosecutor to monitor immigration law compliance Jun 7, 2008
Don't have an account. (older than 14 days). (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
U.S. loses 49,000 jobs in 5th monthly drop Jun 7, 2008
"It would show a new level of callousness by Congress, a new level of disconnect between Washington and the rest of the country, not to pass an extension now," said Andrew Stettner, executive director of the National Employment Law Project, a U.S. advocacy group for the unemployed. The administration argues that jobless benefits have never been extended with the unemployment rate this low, a position that the White House spokesman Tony Fratto said remained in place even after the report Friday. (International Herald Tribune)
Report on rise in unemployment jolts economy Jun 7, 2008
55 million Americans have been out of work for more than six months 200,000 more than in March 2002, several months after the past recession ended, according to Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project. But the jobs report also holds less gloomy evidence, said Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist for New Jersey-based Economic Outlook Group. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Wood Named Assistant Coach for Minnesota Women's Hockey Team Jun 7, 2008
He graduated from Middlebury in 1994 and went on to earn a law degree at the University of New Brunswick in 1999 and specialized in labor and employment law while coaching the University of New Brunswick in 1999-2000. Wood and his wife, Carie, have two children, Matthew and Maggie and are expecting their third child in September. (Wcha.com)
Attorney general's office suggests settling sex harassment cases, but wants all details in writing first Jun 6, 2008
"I would like all settlement discussions to be in writing, unless and until a mediation session is arranged," wrote McPhillips, the employment law section chief. Elliott is expected to ask for a mediator. (Cleveland.com -- News)
Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick acquires Morse & Dolan Jun 6, 2008
Both Dolan and Morse have significant experience in employment law and appellate work, which is one of the key focuses of the firm's practice, a news release said. "Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick and Morse & Dolan mesh well together professionally and as personalities.," said Charlie Waldrep, a senior partner in the firm. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
