News & Insights

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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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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Exclusivity Provisions Of The Workers’ Compensation Act Do Not Bar Claims Of Negligence And Wantonnes Against The Employer For Conduct Occuring After The Workplace Injury

In Ex parte Burkes Mechanical, Inc., 28 ALW 50-3 (1180402); 12/6/2019, 170-3 (2171022), 4/19/2019, the Employer, Burkes Mechanical, Inc., (Burkes Mechanical) petitioned the Alabama Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus directing the trial court to vacate its Order denying its Motion to Dismiss claims of negligence and wantonness asserted against it by Employee Alexsie…
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Eleventh Circuit Dismisses Equal Protection Challenge To Alabama Minimum Wage Law

After a recent Eleventh Circuit decision in Lewis v. Governor of Alabama 896 F.3d 1282 (11th Cir. 2018), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to a full-court review to decide the validity of a 2016 Alabama Law prohibiting cities or other local municipalities from adopting their own laws concerning minimum wages. The law was…
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Finra Requests Comment On A Proposed Rule To Limit A Registered Person From Being Named A Customer’s Beneficiary Or Holding A Position Of Trust For Or On Behalf Of A Customer

FINRA is seeking comments on a new rule proposal that would limit any registered person of a broker-dealer from being named a beneficiary, executor or trustee, or to have a power of attorney or similar position of trust, for or on behalf of a customer.  FINRA believes being a customer’s beneficiary or holding a position…
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Court Holds That Subcontractor Cannot Recover For Unjust Enrichment From Client Owners

The Middle District of Florida held that a client-owner was not unjustly enriched despite a subcontractor’s belief that the client-owner was undercharged by the general contractor. In Commercial Repairs and Sales, LLC v. Signet Jewelers Limited, Plaintiff Commercial Repairs and Sales, LLC (“CRS”) provided construction improvement and facility management. Defendant Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet”) is…
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District Court Rules Epa’s Interpretation Of Clean Water Act Permitting Requirements Is Reasonable

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled pollution from a Cape Cod resort that travels through groundwater into the Atlantic Ocean is not subject to Clean Water Act permitting requirements.  Conservation Law Foundation v. Longwood Venues & Destinations, Inc., No. 1:18-cv-11821 (November 26, 2019, D. Mass.).  The Complaint alleges treated…
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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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