Lawyer vs Website: 3 Reasons to Avoid “Discount” Estate Planning Websites
There are a lot of websites out there that allow you to make your own estate planning documents at a bargain rate. Wills, Powers of Attorney . . . even Trusts.
Reopening Your Business: 9 Steps To Reduce Labor Risks
Re-opening your business is the hot topic as local and state governments relax COVID-19 shelter in place orders. Regardless of industry, most small businesses need to address core labor issues and evaluate what additional industry-specific concerns should be addressed. Both valid and specious employment claims are already on the rise due to a combination of new laws, economic pressures, and a tight job market.
New Maryland Employment Discrimination Laws Take Effect October 1, 2020
While much of the recent Maryland Legislative session was consumed with the coronavirus crisis, several pro-employee bills were passed. These bills address race discrimination, sex discrimination, pay equity, and wage transparency. All will become effective October 1, 2020 without the signature of Governor Hogan, who declined to hold any bill signing ceremonies this month. The following summarizes the relevant laws, as well as, provides recommendations for Maryland employers.
Attention Maryland Employers: Ban the Box Law Effective February 29, 2020
Beginning on February 29, 2020, all Maryland employers with fifteen or more employees must comply with the new ban the box law unless they fall within an exemption.
Preparing To Re-open Your Business During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Now that Maryland is beginning to relax its shelter in place order and other local jurisdictions will likely follow suit, business owners need to begin planning for re-opening so that it can be done in a safe and effective way. Over the next few weeks, we will be publishing a series of articles that are designed to help you target the relevant issues as you contemplate re-opening, managing labor risks, and possibly shutting down again.
Can I Re-open My Business Under Maryland’s Amended Stay At Home Order?
Effective as of May 15, 2020, at 5 p.m., Governor Hogan has amended Maryland’s COVID-19 “Stay at Home Order” to ease certain restrictions on businesses and gatherings and to allow for the re-opening of certain businesses. This article discusses Order No. 20-05-13-01. A link to the complete Order appears at the end of this article.
Will Women At The Board Table Make Maryland More Competitive?
Why Am I Paying Percentage Rent In My Retail Lease?
Many leases for retail spaces, including restaurants, include terms that require the tenant to pay to the landlord a percentage of profits earned from gross sales. This “percentage rent” payment is over and above the monthly base rent, operating costs and taxes that the tenant also pays the landlord under the lease.
Exempt Employee: What Is The Level Of Discretion That Qualifies?
Our clients have generally recognized that providing an employee with a salary is not enough to exempt that employee from overtime. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) established the forty (40) hour week, minimum wage, overtime and what jobs were exempt from these requirements.
What Is A Tenant’s Exclusive Use Clause?