News

Fish And Wildlife Service Considers Increased Regulation Of Oil And Gas In Refuges

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on February 24 that it will be developing proposed regulations to adopt a significantly more stringent approach to the management of oil and gas activities associated with any private, state, or tribally...

Employees May Affirmatively Decline To Use FMLA Leave - When Requesting Leave for An FMLA-Covered Reason, According to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

In a decision filed on February 25, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that employees may affirmatively decline to use leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), even if the underlying reason for seeking...

Petition for Certiorari Filed Regarding Preclusive Effect of Likelihood of Confusion Findings by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; Supreme Court Invites Solicitor General to Submit Views

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

In advising clients and making strategic decisions about whether to bring or defend inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("TTAB"), trademark practitioners need to consider carefully whether they are content having...

State Senator May Support Bill On Police Custody Deaths

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

As previously reported here, the Wisconsin State Assembly has passed a bill that would end the practice where law enforcement agencies investigate themselves after a death in police custody. Under the bill, a team of at least two investigators from...

Loaded gun makes it past courthouse screener

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

No one, fortunately, was hurt. But a loaded semiautomatic handgun got past a security screener last month at an Ohio courthouse, resulting in ongoing repercussions.

California Appellate Court Finds Employer Has No Duty to Future Child for Parent-Employee’s Preconception Exposure to Toxins

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

The preconception tort is essentially any tortious conduct occurring prior to a child’s conception that results in harm to the child. This type of claim, which has been recognized in California since 1982, can cover all types of prenatal injuries,...

China Conditionally Approves Thermo Fisher/Life Technologies Merger: MOFCOM Continues to March to Its Own Drumbeat

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

The January 2014 conditional clearance decision by the Chinese competition authorities regarding the acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (“Thermo Fisher”) of Life Technologies Corporation illustrates some of the key features of the Chinese...

"The Estate Planner" – March/April 2014

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

In this issue: - Private Annuities Can Offer Big Tax Savings - 5 Tips For Donating Artwork - A Successful Family Business Requires Strong Governance - Estate Planning Red Flag – You Haven’t Planned For Long-Term Care - Excerpt from...

Xcel Announces 150 MW Solar RFP

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

This morning, Xcel Energy announced plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 150 MW of solar energy generation. Xcel included its RFP plans in a filing submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) outlining its...

New FATCA Regulations Address Certain Concerns of the Insurance Industry

By EsqSocial Corporation 03/03/14

On February 20, Treasury and the IRS issued new final and temporary Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) regulations. In brief, the new FATCA regulations provide positive changes with respect to several issues raised by the insurance industry....

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