In a significant precedent involving the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently overruled a federal district court’s prior ruling on oil rig workers and their entitlements to compensation for time spent changing into and out of protective gear. The case in question is titled Tyger v….
In a recent decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Hamilton v. Dallas County, a significant change was established regarding the standard for pleading Title VII claims. The court’s ruling determined that plaintiffs no longer need to articulate an “ultimate employment decision” before alleging a claim for disparate treatment under…
Legal professionals and corporate entities should be aware of recent guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding a delay to the SECURE Act 2.0. The implementation of the provision mandating that any age 50 catch-up contributions by an employee with prior-year compensation over $145,000 be made on a Roth basis — instead of…
A growing number of US companies are now obliged to disclose salaries upfront to job applicants and current employees. However, in an effort to further address wage disparities and brain bias in promotions, legislators are calling for improved transparency surrounding opportunities for advancement. Legislation passed in Illinois this year has included provisions for such “opportunity…
Within Allen & Overy, an unanticipated shift has resulted in Abu Dhabi dealmaker Khalid Garousha being given a significant part to play as the firm is closing in on its merger with Shearman & Sterling, a key move in securing the firm’s future. Garousha was designated as the UK firm’s second in command in July…
Legal professionals understand the importance of relationship building with clients. However, the traditional hourly billing model is proving to be a strain on these fragile and crucial lawyer-client bonds. This strain is mainly due to the clients’ anxiety about the extent of billable hours spent on their case, particularly in an era of a constricting…
In the world of corporate law, the evaluation of just compensation often hinges on the market value of a property. Yet, surface-level assessments can sometimes miss the mark, leading to inadequacies in compensation. The eminent domain case, handled by Ackerman & Ackerman, P.C., serves as a telling example of this scenario. At the core of…
Enthusiasm resounds from midlevel associates based in the Los Angeles offices of a particular Biglaw firm. According to the American Lawyer’s recent Midlevel Associates Survey, one notable firm, which has asked to remain anonymous, outshone its competitors by earning an unprecedented score of 5 out of 5. The distinct honor of this ranking underscores the…
In a recent case of Klauber v. VMWare, the First Circuit Court has sanctioned the legality of a clause included in an employer’s remuneration plan allowing modification of commissions on substantial or unconventional sales. Often referred to as “windfall” clauses, such conditions are commonly seen in sales commission schemes.JD Supra reports that this ruling by…
In a move that signifies the changing economic times and a push towards improved wage structures nationwide, a considerable pay regulation update is set to take place in the state of Florida. Effective September 30, 2023, the minimum wage in Florida will increase to $12.00 per hour. Moreover, individuals in service-oriented professions who receive gratuities,…
Surveys of corporate legal departments across the globe describe an environment of increasingly tight budgets. Corporate legal teams face undue pressure from Biglaw firms, who insist on higher fees despite budgetary constriction. The increasing pressure on budgets, however, hasn’t affected the bottom line of many chief legal officers. On the contrary, they continue to enjoy…
Increasing compensation for legal professionals and support staff is causing an upward trajectory in law firms’ operating costs, applying continuous stress to their net revenues. This trend has been illuminated by recent statistics from major financial institutions that service the legal industry. During the past six months, law firms around the United States experienced a…
The rapidly evolving world of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) regulation in Asia is garnering attention globally, due to its significant implications for corporations and law firms alike. A recent update on the issue has been published by lawyers from Latham & Watkins LLP. A growing trend across the world, ESG focuses on three key domains…
It appears that Illinois is breaking new ground with measures to protect temporary workers. On August 4, 2023, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed HB2862 into law. This legislation stipulates that temporary staffing agencies must provide equal pay and benefits to certain temporary workers, alongside their directly employed colleagues. This new law, informally known as the “Equal…
In eminent domain litigation, a prevailing topic has been whether or not condemnors—entities which are legally empowered to acquire private properties for public use—should be responsible for the legal fees of the property owners they displace. This controversial issue, underpinned by a 50-state survey on the issue, carries critical implications for both property owners and…
Australia’s Victoria Court of Appeal on Friday refused to grant the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne leave to appeal an earlier decision concerning child sexual abuse allegations against the late Cardinal George Pell. In February 2022, an individual referred to as RWQ filed a claim against the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne alleging mental harm and nervous…
We start the year off with news already influencing corporate America. 2022 witnessed a challenging economic setting with soaring interest rates and an uncertain forecast that rocked the nation. The effects were particularly prominent within the tech industry, where falling stock prices landed startups and tech giants alike into a cycle of retrenchment and widespread…
The senior partners of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, Wim Dejonghe and Adam Hakki respectively, are conducting a series of roadshows at each other’s firms. The roadshows, which are question and answer sessions, come as part of a planned merger between the two firms. This merger is set to be decided upon by…
An atypical arbitration case linked to a long-standing dispute over a 19th-century land deal has drawn the government of Malaysia and two top independent European firms into a contentious legal battle with one of the world’s largest litigation funders. The case at present is adding fuel to the ongoing discussions centered around the regulation of…
As noted by Law.com, several law firms have chosen to increase salaries for their newly qualified (NQ) lawyers, though the chances of reigniting a wider talent pay war this year appear slim. A studied instance is Baker McKenzie, who announced a boost in its NQ salaries in London from £110,000 to £118,000, a growth of…
3M Co. has consented, albeit tentatively, to pay upwards of $5.5 billion in an effort to resolve over 300,000 lawsuits that claim that the company sold defective combat earplugs to the US military, according to information from individuals connected with the agreement. Bloomberg Law reports. This significant settlement would sidestep a potentially much bigger liability…
A recent development indicates that Spain has failed to comply with international law, as per the findings of a UN Human Rights Committee on Follow-Up Rapporteur. The findings, which have been published, reveal that Spain did not implement the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) decision concerning the case of Baltasar Garzón v Spain. Interestingly,…
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has ruled that Palestinians cannot proceed with a lawsuit against Israeli military officers for their alleged involvement in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip in 2014. The lawsuit is directed toward Benny Gantz, former military veteran and subsequent politician, and Amir Eshel, former Chief of Air Staff, who are…
Next Monday marks the start of strike authorization votes by the 85,000 members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. Voting is expected to continue until September 13. The coalition, which accounts for half of Kaiser Permanente’s workforce, has raised concerns over the healthcare system’s unhurried attitude in addressing their grievances and offering an acceptable…
In a recent development pertaining to labor laws, the First Circuit Court has affirmed an employer’s jurisdiction to modify commission payments under the Massachusetts Wage Act. This decision carries significant implications for corporations and law firms managing employee compensation frameworks, especially those involving sales commissions. Renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “If the only tool…