New England Biz Law Update

The U.S. District Court in Massachusetts could hear both compulsory and permissive counterclaims filed by a telecommunications company in response to a federal suit to block enforcement of a state administrative order, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has found in a case of first impression.

A company that prevailed in a lawsuit brought by its former general counsel could not recoup litigation costs in the absence of a contractual clause, rule or statute specifically providing for that remedy, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

The IRS did not violate due process principles by assessing a federal excise tax against a manufacturer of hydraulic boat trailers but not its competitors, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has found.

Initially sought $288K; awarded only $25,000

Judge orders new trial in patent case

An employer violated the Massachusetts Wage Act when it refused to pay a fired employee for his unused vacation time, the state Supreme Judicial Court has decided. The employer — whose written policy provided that any employee who left on ...

An employer that fired a worker without providing the prior warning or suspension called for under the disciplinary policy in its personnel manual violated an implied employment contract, the Massachusetts District Court/BMC Appellate Division has ruled. The plaintiff employee did ...

A temp agency could not fire an employee for violating a confidentiality provision that barred him from disclosing to any “other parties” the terms of his employment, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has decided.

Tax-accrual workpapers prepared by a company to determine how much cash it should reserve in case the IRS disputed its tax returns were protected by the work-product doctrine, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

A retiring employee could cash in unused sick time he accumulated before his employer reduced the compensation rate for accrued sick leave, the Massachusetts Appeals Court recently decided.