Court defines role of lawyers in real estate closings

June 13, 2011 Comments Off on Court defines role of lawyers in real estate closings

For the first time in recent history, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has addressed what constitutes the practice of law in connection with real estate transfers. And while the highly anticipated decision leaves several questions unanswered, it clearly reaffirms the ...

Tagged with: May 2011 issue

Dodd-Frank Act arbitration ban ruled retroactive

June 13, 2011 Comments Off on Dodd-Frank Act arbitration ban ruled retroactive

A controversial whistleblower provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that invalidated pre-dispute arbitration clauses applies retroactively, a U.S. District Court judge in Boston has ruled in an issue of first impression.

Tagged with: May 2011 issue

Final regs issued for ADA statute

June 13, 2011 Comments Off on Final regs issued for ADA statute

It took about two years, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has released a final version of regulations that reflect significant changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Tagged with: May 2011 issue

Screening applicants on social media sites

June 13, 2011 Comments Off on Screening applicants on social media sites

Most employers are doing it. Few admit to it, and even fewer have considered the legal implications. Companies are mining the Internet and social media for information about job applicants that can’t be found on a résumé.

Tagged with: May 2011 issue