Law

Thousands of trademark owners across the U.S. have fallen victim to a massive scam letter scheme in recent years by…

The CDC recently announced 153 possible cases of severe lung illness linked to vaping have been reported across 16 states…

Private businesses may get an extra year to implement new accounting standards that will alter how leases are presented on financial statements, after a regulatory board proposed a delay.

The Trump administration wants the Social Security Administration to review social media accounts as part of its process to approve or deny someone for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits.

In a decision that will impact Pittsburgh businesses, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on July 17 upheld a city ordinance mandating paid sick leave be provided to employees working within the geographical boundaries of the city.

In a move aimed at improved security and transparency, the IRS recently revised the process to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), limiting the title of “responsible party” to individuals only.

According to the CDC, 1 out of 4 adults 65 and older will fall each year. If a family member’s fall in a nursing home leads to serious injuries or a tragic death, the facility may bear legal responsibility for medical malpractice or a related offense.

Americans love to proudly show off their red, white and blue. Businesses, too, love to adopt the flag for logos and marketing, but there are limits to what they can do with that symbol.

The bankruptcy code allows debtors to reject existing contracts, but that protection doesn’t extend to trademark licensing agreements, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently.

After a recent decision from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, oil and gas operators may now be exposed to potential lawsuits under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL). While the UTPCPL is traditionally only applied to consumer transactions, the statute’s application has been expanded to oil and gas lease arrangements.

Sixty million American workers have given up their right to go to court because of companies issuing mandatory arbitration agreements.

Unemployment rates are low, but not for everyone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to the general population. Only 30 percent of people 16-64 with disabilities are employed.

The way companies approach no-hire provisions in contracts between commercial entities may have been significantly upended.

Gender inequality impacts all industries, including law firms. A Law360 survey found women make up only 36 percent of all attorneys.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has estimated it will receive more applications than there are available H-1B visas this year.

Military members who served between 2003-2015 are suffering tinnitus, partial and total hearing loss after using 3M’s Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs.

The new year is a good time for employers to review and update employment practices. Proper policies and practices will reduce risks of costly employment claims. Here are some items to review:

The Trump Administration has proposed changes to the “public charge” rule that could have substantial implications on legal immigration processes.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made several changes that will continue to have a significant effect on tax planning in the coming years – including charitable giving.

Emotional support animals can bring calm to people who need them – and legal confusion to employers.

In June 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the “clean slate” bill into law, forcing businesses to exercise caution when using criminal records to make employment decisions.

The epidemic of substance abuse by young adults is causing parents to consider how best to provide in their estate plans for children who have this disorder.

Drone usage is flying ever higher in the U.S.

On July 12, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation to amend the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act (CASPA). Effective Oct. 10, 2018, these amendments represent a longstanding effort to change the status quo in construction contracts and further protect builders seeking payments.

A 2018 amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act has restaurants re-evaluating their tipping practices. The change states, “an employer may not keep tips received by its employees … including allowing managers or supervisors to keep any portion of employees’ tips … ’’

In most states, there are no outright prohibitions on short-term leases. However, homeowners offering properties through sites like Airbnb and VRBO may have to contend with local zoning regulations.

In a recent court case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that post-grant review of patents by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is constitutional, but the board must decide the legitimacy of every challenged claim during a PTAB proceeding. Prior to this decision, it was common for PTAB to review some, but not all claims.

Forming audit committees is becoming more common in the nonprofit sector, offering an unbiased outlet to monitor an organization’s finances. Here are three things to consider when building an audit committee:

Reports of sexual harassment have flooded newsstands recently, causing lasting reputational damage. With public scrutiny significantly more intense, no member of an organization’s leadership team will be spared in the event of a scandal – especially its board.

The majority of citizens who join nonprofit boards have good intentions. On rare occasions, however, board members leverage their involvement for self-serving purposes to the detriment of the organization. A well-drafted conflict of interest policy is vital to protect the charity against charges of impropriety.