In light of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) sharpened focus on fighting discrimination and harassment in the construction industry, it’s critical that employers in this sector take note of this federal enforcement shift. The EEOC recently released a report which earmarks key issues in the industry, as well as its strategy to handle noncompliance…
On August 31, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued a final rule, listing four distinct population segments (DPSs) of foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The foothill yellow-legged frog sprawls throughout streams across California and Oregon. However, the four listed DPSs are all located in California….
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Rock Creek Stone, LLC, colloquially known as Rock Creek, have recently entered into an agreed Consent Order (or CO). The primary focus of the Consent Order is to address an alleged breach of air and water regulations as posited by the ADEM against Rock Creek. Details highlight…
In a strategic move reflecting redistributions within the legal industry, leading international and domestic law firms are strengthening their team formations across Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These recruitments have seen firms enhancing their competencies in core areas such as banking & finance, construction, and dispute resolution. Notably, Angelia Kodama has taken major strides with…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted approval to two additional companies, UPS Flight Forward and uAvionix, to conduct drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in national airspace, a significant development in the increasingly relevant drone industry. Notably, UPS Flight Forward aims to utilize BVLOS drone operations for small-package delivery via a ground-based…
In recent real estate and construction news, a number of significant developments have made their mark. This week witnessed a distinct trend towards the advancement of marginalized groups, a shift in office space and a fresh low in housing affordability. One uplifting report in this week’s newschat is the growth of a nonprofit committed to…
In a recent litigation development, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, a highway construction company with an incorporation base in Delaware, is facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of sexual harassment at one of its North Carolina construction worksites. The case revolves around serious allegations brought forward by a female truck…
In the high-stakes setting of construction mediation, the impartiality of the mediator can significantly impact the outcome. This begs the question put forth in an important piece on JD Supra: Is Your Construction Mediator Really a Neutral Who’s Neutral? This query is crucial, given that the effectiveness of the mediation process relies on the developer,…
In a recent development concerning Pennsylvania’s Statute of Repose, the superior court has finally provided clarity to a long-standing ambiguity in the statute’s wording. The unpublished opinion, handed down on August 31, 2023, will have substantial implications for legal professionals, especially for those involved in civil proceedings linked to the construction industry. Under the previous…
Healthcare systems around the globe are currently strained with the challenging task of considering inpatient capital projects amidst market pressures, rising expenses, and construction cost escalation. As reported in JD Supra, the quest to generate an appropriate profit margin within this context is proving difficult for many, causing pause for institution leaders when it comes…
A US federal judge has instructed the state of Texas to shift its controversial floating barrier from the central waters of the Rio Grande to the riverbank. The judge’s orders come as a preliminary injunction document that was granted on Wednesday by US Senior District Judge David Alan Ezra, as a result of the US…
In the recent issue of The Site Report – Construction Law Insights, the surge in solar energy related projects in North Carolina has been spotlighted, with a special focus on construction law insights concerning the installation of solar panel systems. The article points out the increase in reliance on renewable energy sources to mitigate carbon…
In a recent turn of events, differing rulings have emerged from separate United States Courts of Appeals concerning their interpretation of Sections 253 and 332 of the Communications Act, according to JDSupra. Initially introduced to handle cases linked to wired telecommunication involving ‘California Payphone,’ this standard has been extended to include contrasting issues encompassing both…
Recent alterations in Virginia’s construction stormwater permitting have paved the way for legal and operational revisions. Lawyers, construction companies, and significant corporation legal teams should remain cognizant of these changes, as the upshots span both legal prerequisites and hands-on impacts. The legal implications, as examined by Alex Turner, a member of the Virginia Bar and…
The escalating inclination towards renewable energy sources, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of homes and buildings, intertwined with favorable tax incentives, has bolstered the proliferation of solar power companies. Notably, North Carolina has seen the establishment of over 200 solar companies, tasked with the mission of meeting the ever-growing demand for solar energy. This…
In a projected seminar titled ‘Building Resiliency Into the Construction Industry’, the focus has been set on resilience in the construction industry, particularly in the context of South Florida. The seminar is scheduled for September 7th, in Miami, FL. To delve a little deeper, resilience in this industry typically refers to a building’s or infrastructure…
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is currently seeking comments and feedback on two Occupational Health and Safety proposals, including one pertaining to heat stress. The initiative is seeking to understand the potential impact of these proposed amendments and encourages stakeholders to voice their thoughts and concerns. This information was recently…
After several meetings and barely two months of deliberation, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has finally passed the highly anticipated “Housing Fee Reform Plan”. Having been extensively discussed on July 7th, 21st, and 31st, the plan was approved on the second reading, on September 5th. Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass reports the detailed happens….
In a recent enforcement action that underscores the significance of robust whistleblower programs in corporations, OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) announced a settlement with Construction Specialties Inc. (CS) worth $660,594 for alleged infringements of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR). The announcement, made on August 16, 2023, revealed that the violations involved CS’s…
In a pivotal decision, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (the Board) has ushered in new conditions for Union Representation cases. The ruling was issued on August 25, 2023, in Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC, and sweeps aside decades of established precedent regarding the representation election process. According to the decision, and as analysed by…
Amid the wave of historic wildfires that have swept across Colorado, instigating serious damage and serving as a stark reminder of the shifting climate vulnerabilities, the state has taken vital strides towards prevention and recovery. As part of an effort to improve wildfire resiliency, the Centennial State passed an array of eleven bills during the…
As experienced legal professionals, the importance of having a well-structured and navigable website might often get overlooked in the face of pressing court cases and legal complaints. However, in today’s digital age, it is increasingly vital to have an accessible online presence. A recent article on JD Supra presents a compelling case about how good…
On August 25, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released its long anticipated decision in the Cemex Construction Materials Pacific case (See NLRB Case No. 28-CA-230115). Central to the Cemex case was the question of managing election procedures amidst allegations of unfair labor practices committed by an employer during the “critical period” – the…
In a recent development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has announced an updated focus of its remediation and cost-recovery efforts under the federal Superfund law. This shift is particularly towards manufacturers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) along with other companies using PFAS in their production processes. A…
As we approach the implementation date for key changes to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, companies involved in covered contracts or receiving awards subject to the Act will need to prepare for these updates. The U.S. Department of Labor has set October 22, 2023, as the deadline for stakeholders to comply with the final regulations….