A recent case illustrates the importance of conducting a careful, sensitive investigation of sexual harassment complaints. An employer’s “unpardonable” response to a sexual harassment complaint has resulted in an arbitrator’s rebuke and $25,000.00...
The SEC has settled an administrative action with the managing member of a fund of private equity funds. In an examination the SEC staff learned that the manager was violating the custody rule (Rule 206(4)-2 under the Investment Advisers Act)...
Last week, the Supreme Court of Texas heard oral arguments on whether a party can use a pre-suit deposition to identify an anonymous blogger. The petitioner tried to use a pre-suit subpoena to force Google to identify a blogger that constantly...
On November 6, the CFPB announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit input on a wide array of issues related to consumer protection in the debt collection market. With the release of the ANPR, the CFPB also announced the...
Executives in key leadership positions can make or break a brand. It should be obvious, yet people forget that simple fact. Steve Jobs built Apple into the strong global brand that it is today. Meanwhile, one of Jobs’ protégés, Ron Johnson, let JC...
As lawyers, most of us have been moved by the injustice of the world to study the realm of ideas, opinion, and arguments. We’ve read thousands of pages and talked until we turned blue in the face. We have gobs of words at our disposal and have...
On November 5, 2013, residents of New Jersey voted 61 to 39 percent to amend the New Jersey state constitution to increase the state’s hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25. The minimum wage increase will go into effect on January 1, 2014....
The mother of a three-year-old recently filed a wrongful death claim after a helicopter crash in Pennsylvania killed the child and three other passengers, including the child’s father. Crystal McKain requested more than $550,000 in damages from...
In a case likely to affect employer-employee arbitration agreements, one court has ruled that a court, and not an arbitrator, must determine whether ambiguous arbitration agreements cover class claims. Reed Elsevier, Inc. v. Crockett, No. 12-3574...
In one of the first decisions issued this term, the Rhode Island Supreme Court confirmed in Wyso v. Full Moon Tide, LLC, No. 2012-195-Appeal; 2012-359-Appeal that neither property owners nor lessees of real property owe a duty of care to those who...
