New England Biz Law Update

A bill pending in the Massachusetts Legislature could significantly shift wage-and-hour enforcement by granting private individuals, labor unions, and nonprofits the right to sue employers for alleged violations on behalf of the state.

Imagine rolling out a generative AI chatbot for your customer service platform to improve response times and efficiency and to lower costs. While it appears promising for a while, it all grinds to a halt when the chatbot recommends illegal return policies or offers inaccurate safety advice on regulated products or even misrepresents the company’s obligations.

A Los Angeles judge has given final approval to a class‑action settlement resolving claims that women in middle management roles at Disney were paid less than male peers, passed over for promotions, and assigned extra work without equivalent compensation under California’s Equal Pay Act.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against an auto parts manufacturer, asserting that it violated federal law when it refused to allow an older, female worker with a disability to re-enter its apprenticeship program.

A former employee at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a formal charge claiming a hostile work environment due to transgender bias.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warning letters to several hospital systems and staffing firms over the use of non-compete clauses in employment agreements.

Mandatory arbitration clauses are increasingly common in construction contracts. Arbitration, sometimes referred to as “trial-light,” is a judicial process where an arbitrator (usually a lawyer or a former judge) receives evidence, hears from witnesses, and makes a binding decision resolving the dispute.

Law firm leaders, business executives and chief marketing officers (CMOs) are walking a communications tightrope in today’s politically charged environment.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “Act”) that President Trump signed into law on July 4th provides a number of enhanced tax incentives for investors in qualifying real estate and small businesses that will likely stimulate further investment in these areas.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released its latest regulatory agenda, highlighting a series of proposed and pending rules that could significantly affect employers in the coming year.