News & Insights

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…
Read More

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,…
Read More

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…
Read More

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…
Read More

Eeoc Issues New Guidance Regarding Reporting Non Binary Employees

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) both provide protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity.  OFCCP’s frequently asked questions define gender identity as referring to a person’s internal sense of their own gender and that this internal sense may or may not correspond to…
Read More

Engineer Did Not Assume Responsibility For All Aspects Of Design When He Stamped The Drawings That Did Not Include A Weld Design

In Novum Structures, LLC v. Larson Engineering, Inc., 2019 WL 1924878 (E.D. Wis. April 30, 2019), a Wisconsin District Court addressed whether an engineer’s sealing of design drawings makes the engineer the “Engineer of Record” and establishes a duty to verify the accuracy of the entire design. In 2014, Novum Structures, LLC (“Novum”) was hired…
Read More

Eleventh Circuit Rules Alabama’s Npdes Permitting Partnership With Epa Can Continue

The Eleventh Circuit has determined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have to withdraw from a partnership with Alabama that allows the state to issue permits under the Clean Water Act (CWA), even though environmental groups have claimed Alabama’s program has failed to comply with the federal law’s requirements over the years.  Cahaba…
Read More

Finra Issues Guidance On Member Firms’ Supervisory Obligations When Participating In Investment Related Activities With Municipal Clients

FINRA recently issued Regulatory Notice 19-28 addressing member firms’ supervisory responsibilities as it pertains to customer accounts owned by municipal entities. The guidance was issued to clarify misconceptions surrounding the definition of the term “municipal advisors” and to ensure compliance with relevant FINRA and SEC regulations. The term “municipal advisor” refers to any individual, who…
Read More