New England Biz Law Update

One of New England’s largest law firms has suffered a significant, and potentially costly, defeat at the hands of a federal judge.

Tagged with: Feb. 29 2012 issue

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the First Amendment’s ministerial exception bars job-bias suits against religion-based employers will likely have an impact far beyond discrimination claims.

Tagged with: Feb. 29 2012 issue

A start-up company could enforce a non-compete agreement against a former vice president who went to work for a competitor developing products in the same industry, a Massachusetts Superior Court judge has ruled.

Tagged with: Feb. 29 2012 issue

There has been an uptick in class actions over employment screening practices that use consumer reports as grounds for making decisions about job applicants or employees.

Tagged with: Feb. 29 2012 issue

With more attention being given to corporate rule-breaking and stronger laws supporting those who report it, employment lawyers are seeing more workers claiming that they lost their jobs because they complained about wrongdoing in the workplace.

Tagged with: Feb. 29 2012 issue

A Massachusetts resident who was injured when his ski binding broke on a mountain in Utah could bring a products-liability suit in the commonwealth against the French company that made the binding, a Superior Court judge has ruled.

Tagged with: Jan. 30 2012 issue

At recent oral arguments, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court tried to determine whether emotional distress constitutes “actual damages” under the federal Privacy Act. Their decision on the issue will determine whether a pilot can sue government agencies for ...

Tagged with: Jan. 30 2012 issue

Although an accusation of workplace discrimination can do serious damage to a company’s reputation, the claim that an employer illegally retaliated against a former employee can really cost it in the courtroom.

Tagged with: Jan. 30 2012 issue

A plan administrator could not terminate an employee’s long-term disability benefits despite covert surveillance video showing the employee driving, walking, jogging, bending over, flying a kite and lifting her 3-year-old child, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

Tagged with: Jan. 30 2012 issue

A recent decision from the Federal Circuit may make it easier for suits against companies incorporated in Delaware to be transferred outside the state.

Tagged with: Jan. 30 2012 issue