New England Biz Law Update

After 43 days, the U.S. government shutdown finally came to an end when Congress voted through a long-overdue funding bill, which President Donald Trump promptly signed.

Never mind that the government couldn’t tell us whether we had jobs or inflation. The stock market powered straight through October’s data fog.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an award of summary judgment in favor of an employer in a racial discrimination suit brought by a terminated employee who fabricated his managerial and educational experience.

Cyber threats and economic instability remain the leading concerns for North American businesses, according to Aon’s 2025 Global Risk Management Survey. The findings highlight a rapidly evolving landscape where technological, geopolitical, climate, and workforce risks are increasingly intertwined.

Strict rules govern the completion and accuracy of I-9, and failure to follow them can place an employer in a difficult position.

Fraud thrives when employees believe no one is watching. Strong internal controls demonstrate that management is reviewing transactions, thus reducing opportunities for misconduct.

At the starry-eyed beginning of any construction project, future litigation is the last thing on anyone’s mind. But parties need not let optimism get in the way of including forward-thinking contractual terms.

Underperformance can drain team productivity, lower morale, and signal to other employees that mediocrity is acceptable. It can also jeopardize business outcomes and drive away high-performing employees. The key for employers is knowing when to act and how to do so without inviting legal trouble.

A new bill proposed in Congress, the American Franchisee Association Act, is gaining attention as a possible game-changer for franchise labor rights.

A recent ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may signal expanded exposure for employers under the Americans with Disabilities Act when it comes to medical leave requests.