New England Biz Law Update

Massachusetts employers that pay sales commissions to employees should take careful note of a recent federal court decision that bolsters employees’ rights, in some circumstances, to receive sales commissions even after their employment terminates. In Israel v. Voya Institutional Plan ...

Every time a current or former employee threatens or brings legal action, in-house counsel faces the question: Should we litigate or settle? But the question often is not as straightforward as it seems. If you forego an early settlement, will ...

If you’ve noticed a pungent aroma wafting in the Massachusetts breeze, chances are it is coming from marijuana use. Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational use and possession of marijuana on Nov. 8, 2016, and on Dec. ...

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission jointly issued an “Antitrust Guidance for Human Resource Professionals.” The Guidance details critical antitrust principles arising in the employment context, which corporate executives, HR professionals and other managers ...

Recent developments in boardroom practice demonstrate the subtle traps into which board members might fall. A review of these developments, with much of the focus on Delaware law, follows. Joint CEO and chair? Under public company practice, controlled by the ...

Last month, United Continental Holdings entered into a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding alleged violations of the books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the securities laws. While that may not sound exciting, the ...

In 2016, Judge Janet L. Sanders continued to lead the Massachusetts Business Litigation Session as administrative judge and shared the BLS-2 Session with Judge Kenneth W. Salinger. Judges Mitchell H. Kaplan and Edward P. Leibensperger oversaw the BLS-1 session. In ...

It’s a common rookie mistake for the inexperienced trial lawyer. Counsel plans a spiffy media trial presentation that is sure to “wow” the jury, but fails to consider the judge, the venue or the length of trial in planning the ...

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently issued a new “Enforcement Guidance” addressing workplace retaliation claims. This is the first time in nearly 20 years that the EEOC has updated its official Enforcement Guidance on this topic. Although the Enforcement ...

On Aug. 1, the governor of Massachusetts signed into law Senate Bill 2119, entitled “An Act to Establish Pay Equity.” That enactment amended the state’s existing statute, focusing narrowly on wage discrimination and wage differences as they relate to gender. ...