News & Insights

Us Department Of Labor Withdraws Joint Employer Rule

On July 29, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced the withdrawal of the “Joint Employer Rule”, which was established during the Trump Administration. This rule, which took effect on March 16, 2020, was intended to clarify the definition of who may be held jointly liable as an employer under the Fair Labor Standards…
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Finra Amends Rules Associated With Private Placement Offerings

FINRA recently published Regulatory Notice 21-26, “FINRA Amends Rules 5122 and 5123 Filing Requirements to Include Retail Communications That Promote or Recommend Private Placements.” The notice amends FINRA Rules 5122 and 5123 to require additional filing requirements by member firms as it relates to the sale of private placement offerings. Both FINRA Rules 5122 (Private…
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Eighth Circuit Affirms Policy Provides No Coverage For Business Interruption

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently became the first appellate court to weigh in on the litany of lawsuits filed by businesses seeking coverage for business interruption resulting from COVID-19-related restrictions. Oral Surgeons, P.C. v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 2 F.4th 1141 (8th Cir. 2021). In a big win for insurers,…
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Presiding Judge Of Jefferson County Extends Virtual Court Proceeding Order

On July 15, 2021, the presiding judge of Jefferson County entered an Administrative Order extending the previously entered Order allowing the holding of non-jury court proceedings by video or audio conference.  The previous Order provided Jefferson County Circuit Judges with discretion to hold virtual court hearings in all non-jury proceedings which included workers’ compensation cases. …
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Alabama Supreme Court Extends Pandemic Order For Workers’ Compensation Cases

On March 18, 2020, pursuant to §§ 12-2-30(b)(8) and 25-5-12, Ala. Code 1975, Chief Justice Tom Parker issued “Administrative Order Concerning Workers’ Compensation Cases During the Period of Suspension of In-Person Proceedings,” authorizing circuit judges to conduct workers’ compensation settlement hearings telephonically or by videoconference.  This Order also authorizes the use of the Alabama Department…
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Alabama Secretary Of Labor Sets New Maximum And Minimum Rates Effective July 2, 2021

In accordance with the provisions of Section 25-5-68(c), Code of Alabama 1975, the Secretary of Labor determined the new maximum workers’ compensation payable is $983.00 per week and the minimum increased to $270.00 per week The memorandum regarding the new maximum and minimum rates issued by the Director of the Alabama Department of Labor Workers’…
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United States Supreme Court Holds Both State And Private Property Can Be Condemned By A Certificate Holding Natural Gas Company

In PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC v. New Jersey, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) defended the federal government’s ability to delegate its eminent domain power to a natural gas company.  No. 19-1039, 2021 WL 2653262, (U.S. June 29, 2021).  The Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) was passed by Congress in 1938 to regulate the…
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Tennessee Appellate Court Reverses Trial Court’s Denial Of Attorney’s Fees For Plaintiff Based On Provision Of Construction Contract

In Jones v. Reda Homebuilders, Inc., the Court of Appeals of Tennessee, at Nashville, analyzed whether the trial court properly denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Attorney’s Fees based on the language of the construction contract. 2021 WL 2375883, at *1 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 10, 2021). The appellate court additionally analyzed whether the trial court’s award…
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When Is An Architect Required To Notify Its Insurer

In RLI Insurance Company v. Architrave, Inc., 2021 WL 1863259 (D.S.C. May 7, 2021), a federal court in South Carolina held that a factual issue remained as to when an architect was required to put its insurer on notice of a potential claim. Bobbitt Design Build (“Bobbitt”) was hired by Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church,…
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