News & Insights

Maryland Appellate Court Holds A Prior Agreement Was Within The Scope Of The Arbitration Provision In A Subsequent Agreement

In Gannett Fleming, Inc. v. Corman Construction, Inc., 2019 WL 6207616 (Md. App. Nov. 21, 2019), the Maryland Court of Special Appeals held that an arbitration provision contained in a subsequent agreement may still apply to work performed under a prior agreement that did not contain a similar arbitration provision. Gannett Fleming, Inc. (“Gannett”), an…
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Highlights From The Finra 2020 Risk Monitoring And Examination Priorities Letter

FINRA released its 2020 Risk Monitoring and Examination Priorities Letter.  The Letter addresses emerging priorities for FINRA’s risk monitoring, surveillance, and examination programs in the coming year. New for this year is a focus on Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS.  On June 5, 2019, the SEC adopted Regulation Best Interest which establishes a “best…
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Department Of Labor Issues Final Rule On Joint Employer Status Under The Flsa

On January 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor published in the Federal Register the Final Rule regarding joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). These changes to the rule are the first meaningful revisions to the regulations in more than 60 years. The Final Rule discusses two joint employer scenarios: (1)…
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Florida Court Recognizes General Contractor’s Right To Common Law Indemnity

In Brother’s Painting & Pressure Cleaning Corp., Appellant v. Curry-Dixon Construction, LLC, et. al., Appellees, the general contractor Curry-Dixon Construction, LLC (“Curry-Dixon”) and Brother’s Painting & Pressure Cleaning Corporation (“Brother’s Painting”) were both defendants in a lawsuit involving negligence during the course of construction renovations. 2020 WL 559193 (Fla. App. Ct. 2020). Plaintiffs, owners of…
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New York Appellate Court Rules Negligence Claims Against Architect And Engineer Accrue When The Contract Terminates Rather Than When Damages Are Incurred

In WSA Group, PE.,PC v. DKI Engineering & Consulting USA PC, 2019 WL 7173322 (N.Y. App. Dec. 26, 2019), a New York appellate court held that the statute of limitations governing malpractice claims against architects and engineers in New York begins to accrue when the contract is complete and the professional relationship ends, rather than…
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Alabama Court Of Civil Appeals Finds Employer Failed To Prove Employee Returned To Work Making The Same Or Greater Average Weekly Wage And The Return To Work Statute Did Not Apply

On October 4, 2019, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals released AMEC Foster Wheeler Kamtech, Inc. v. Chandler, — So. 3d –, 2019 WL 4894327 (Ala. Civ. App. 2019), which found the employer, Defendant AMEC Foster Wheeler Kamtech, Inc., failed to prove the employee, Plaintiff Jimmy Chandler, returned to work making the same or greater…
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Indemnity Provision Requiring Engineer To Indemnify An Owner For Damage To Property May Encompass Economic Losses In Louisiana

In Couvillion Group, LLC v. Plaquemines Parish Government, 2019 WL 6769614 (La. App. Dec. 11, 2019), Plaquemines Parish Government (“PPG”) contracted with Couvillion Group, LLC (“Couvillion”) to be the general contractor for the Project. PPG contracted with Professional Engineering Consultants Corporation (“PEC”) to provide engineering services for the project. During construction, PPG instructed Couvillion to…
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Employers May Require Confidentiality In Workplace Investigations

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) ruled that an employer may now require confidentiality from employees involved in open workplace investigations.  This resolves a conflict between the NLRB and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and provides clarity for employers. In 2015, the NLRB reversed precedent and held that employers must determine whether imposing confidentiality…
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Contractor’s Bad Faith Claim Premised On Subcontractor Performance Bond Does Not Exist Under Alabama Law

In Goudy Construction, Inc. v. Raks Fire Sprinkler LLC, Plaintiff Goudy Construction, Inc. (“Goudy”) served as the general contractor for a project for which Defendant Raks Fire Sprinkler LLC (“Raks”) submitted a bid to install a fire sprinkler system. 2019 WL 6841067 (N.D. Ala. 2019). Goudy accepted Raks’ bid and entered into a contractual agreement…
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