News & Insights

Scotus Hears Oral Argument In County Of Maui Clean Water Case

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on November 6, 2019, in Hawai’i Wildlife Fund v. County of Maui, a groundwater case that challenges the scope of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”).  831 F.3d 754 (9th Cir. 2018).  The Ninth Circuit previously held that where a point source discharge to groundwater is fairly traceable…
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New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules Statute Of Repose Applies To Indemnity And Contribution Claims Against Architects

In Rankin v. South Street Downtown Holdings, Inc., 2019 WL 3562167 (N.H. Aug. 6, 2019), the New Hampshire Supreme Court addressed whether the state’s Statute of Repose applied to indemnity and contribution claims against architects, or only applied to claims for direct losses.  The Court found the statute did apply and imposes a time limit…
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Finra Publishes 2019 Report On Examination Findings And Observations

On October 16, 2019, FINRA published its 2019 Report on Examination Findings and Observations (“The Report”). The Report essentially details observations from recent examinations of broker-dealer firms. In the past, broker-dealer firms have used these reports to anticipate potential areas of concern and improve their procedures and controls accordingly. The topics addressed in the 2019…
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Tennessee Court Of Appeals Modifies Trial Court Ruling On Fees Owed Upon Delay Issue

In E Solutions for Buildings, LLC v. Knestrick Contractor, Inc., et al., appellant E Solutions for Buildings, LLC (“E Solutions”) challenged the trial court’s award as it related to a subcontractor’s payments owed to E Solutions. 2019 WL 5607473 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2019). The case stemmed from the construction of the Centennial Sportsplex Indoor Fitness…
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Alabama Court Of Civil Appeals Finds Employee’s Fraud, Outrage And Conspiracy Claims Are Not Barred By Exclusive Remedy Provision Of Ala. Code Section 25 5 53

On October 18, 2019, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals released an opinion holding that Plaintiff Orethaniel Swain’s (“Plaintiff”) outrage, fraud and conspiracy claims against Defendants AIG Claims, Inc., Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, Coventry Health Care Workers’ Compensation, Inc. and Jackie Angeles (“Defendants”), based on the handling of his worker’s compensation claim…
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U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Final Overtime Rule

On September 24, 2019, the Department of Labor released its Final Rule, modifying the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”) overtime regulations. The Final Rule results in fewer employees being exempt, and more employees being eligible for overtime pay. As such, employers should budget to include additional expenditures in overtime for the coming year.  Since 2004,…
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Architect’s Negligent Inspection Exposes Him To Liability For Personal Injury

In Demetro v. Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, 170 A.D. 3d 437 (N.Y. 2019), a New York Appellate Court addressed whether an architect’s failure to identify deviations from its designs subjected the architect to liability for personal injuries as a result of the defective condition. On a Motion for Summary Judgment, the…
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Georgia Appellate Court Reinforces Contractual Waiver Of Payment Clause

In ALA Construction Services, LLC v. Controlled Access, Inc., ALA Construction Services, LLC (“ALA Construction”) hired subcontractor Controlled Access, LLC (“Controlled Access”) to provide equipment and related services for the construction of townhomes. 2019 WL 4463305 (Ga. App. Ct. 2019). Pursuant to their written contract, Controlled Access signed two documents entitled “Interim Waiver and Release…
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Finra Provides Guidance On Disclosure Innovations In Advertising And Other Communications With The Public

In recently published Regulatory Notice 19-31, FINRA responded to questions regarding how members can comply with FINRA’s communications rules, Rules 2210 through 2220, when using electronic media.  FINRA issued this guidance to facilitate simplified and more effective disclosure in communications with the public, particularly in the context of members’ marketing and advertising of their products…
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