In a recent development, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a $25,000 fine for EEO violations. This action puts broadcasters worldwide on notice about the importance of meeting their Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) obligations. The fine was issued by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, home to its EEO division, on October 16, 2023. This Notice…
Given the looming expiry of the 2017 estate tax cuts at the end of 2025, it appears that wealthy American families are steering towards strategies that facilitate the relinquishment of wealth. As indicated by a report on JD Supra, families with a net worth of approximately $10 million or more are intensively collaborating with advisors…
First-generation students constitute a significant proportion (26%) of law student populations across the United States, but a recent Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) reveals a worrying trend. These students demonstrate a propensity to graduating with higher levels of debt when compared to their peers who come from families with a history of tertiary…
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has delayed the termination of the current bar exam from July 2027 until the February 2028 administration. Originally announced in September, this decision aims to ensure the smooth transition for all jurisdictions, making both current and NextGen exams available concurrently for two years. For further details, read more…
With California’s 2023 legislative session having concluded and the governor’s October 14 deadline for signing or vetoing new legislation now in the past, it’s high time for California employers to acquaint themselves with a number of new laws set to take effect in 2024. Conducted and reviewed by Venable LLP, these laws address several key…
The murder trial of the suspected mastermind behind the death of Florida State University law professor, Dan Markel, has gained significant interest within the legal community and beyond. The once brother-in-law of the murdered professor, Charlie Adelson, is now facing the courtroom, as opening arguments begin. Markel was fatally shot in his driveway by two…
Understanding the intricacies of Infant ‘Safe Haven’ Laws can help legal professionals in their daily duties, particularly when dealing with cases related to women’s health, adoption, and child protection. While certain contexts, such as the ongoing debates related to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, have highlighted these laws, it’s vital for professionals to grasp…
When the holiday season unfolds, a spirit of giving pervades the environment. Whether it’s Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, family members gather together, celebrate traditions, and pass on gifts. Often, these are the annual tax-exempt gifts, to be neatly packaged in IRS Form 709; the United States Gift Tax Return. But, as lawyers and tax professionals…
The Federal Court of Canada has approved a CA$ 23 billion settlement aimed at compensating First Nations children and families affected by the discriminatory underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program. This approval resolves two class actions initiated in March 2019 and January 2020, each citing the Canadian government for its…
An Ohio probate judge from Cincinnati stands accused of serious ethics violations by the Ohio Bar Association. These accusations stem from social media comments he made concerning a matter that had been settled in his court. Aspects of the issue included disparaging comments about a family’s housekeeping ability and alleged substance abuse by a family…
In a recent episode of the Deeply Rooted Podcast, Joshua Hanson, the President of Small Vineyards, divulged his insights on various subjects with Todd Friedman. Small Vineyards is renowned for its commitment to the superior quality and authenticity, and showcases wines originating from family-owned vineyards. Hanson notably discussed about the proportionality between the size of…
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has been garnering more attention in recent months, and for good reason. This critical legal adjustment is set to go into effect on the 1st of January, 2024, prompting a necessary preemptive action for many businesses both domestically and internationally. Is your corporation prepared? As highlighted in the Family Office…
The United States recently made alterations in the method of calculating immigrant numbers. This has resulted in some notable impacts on foreign nationals who are in the US on temporary R-1 religious worker visas. Specifically, those waiting for green cards may have a significantly longer wait before they receive them. A noticeable effect of the…
Global cruise company Carnival has lost a significant COVID-19 related class action lawsuit in Australia. The case alleged that Carnival demonstrated negligence in its duty of care to passengers during a cruise that resulted in a significant COVID-19 outbreak. Federal Court of Australia Justice Angus Stewart ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, affirming that Carnival…
The holiday season, celebrated and cherished for uniting family, friends, and loved ones around age-old traditions, vacations, and New Year’s resolutions, can simultaneously escalate into periods of tumult and tension. The circumstances can be exceedingly challenging for those entangled in the processes of separation or divorce. The labyrinth of legal and emotional navigation through this…
In a recent development, the Massachusetts legislature has amended the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) as part of the state’s enacted budget. This change is set to provide more leeway to both employees and employers on the use of additional accrued benefits to complement the paid benefits received by employees from the…
In a recent legal case that spotlights the complexities of property law, the defense of a deed that was signed by a 12-year-old was unsuccessful. Chronicled in an article on JD Supra, the case Bell and Petsch v. Petch revolved around a property dispute over five tracts of land in Gillespie County, Texas, pitting siblings…
American Family Insurance (“American Family”) has issued a confirmation last week that its recent IT issues are a result of a cyber attack. This information comes as concerns rise among consumers regarding the possibility of a data breach. The incident has triggered a much-needed discussion on data security and the responsibilities major companies have in…
The legal community is in shock after the targeted killing of Washington County, Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Fisher Wilkinson. Wilkinson was shot in his driveway on a recent Thursday, in what authorities are calling a targeted attack. Just hours prior to his murder, Judge Wilkinson had made his ruling in the divorce case of…
In a recent move, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a new policy that will facilitate the financing of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for borrowers. On October 16, HUD introduced this change to its policy with the objective of simplifying the procedure for borrowers to fund ADUs in their main residences. The…
On October 16, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) made a significant announcement. This concerned the revision of how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac single-family mortgages are treated for borrowers who have entered Covid-19 forbearance under the GSEs’ representations and warranties framework. This development will directly impact the protocol when dealing with the fallout of…
Armita Geravand, a teenage girl who was spotted unconscious after potentially encountering police officers on a subway without wearing a hijab in early October, is apparently declared “brain dead”, as reported by an Iranian semi-state media article posted last Sunday. Footage from the surveillance cameras in Tehran’s metro station reveals 16-year-old Geravand, on her way…
Big changes are coming to California in 2024. Governor Gavin Newsom has taken an important step toward strengthening the labor rights of the state’s workforce by signing SB 616 into law, as reported by JD Supra. Primarily, this new law will enact significant increases in the amount of paid sick leave that companies must provide…
In an notable ruling, the Supreme Court of India overturned the life sentence of a woman previously convicted for the alleged murder of her newborn child. Highlighting the woman’s right to reproductive privacy, the court determined that a woman couldn’t be forced to disclose matters related to her private reproductive decisions. The case dates back…
On Friday, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the two adult children of Bosnian Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, and their affiliated companies, citing their alleged involvement in the leader’s ongoing corruption. OFAC press release revealed that companies such as Global Liberty d.o.o. Laktasi, Agro Voce d.o.o. Laktasi, Agape…