The National Labor Relations Board created a stir last week when it announced that it intends to hold McDonald's USA responsible for its franchisees’ violations of employment law. The announcement has created concern and consternation among businesses […]
In Texas, criminal background checks are generally limited to a seven (7) year review period. However, Texas Business and Commerce Code § 20.05 provides an exception if an applicant is applying to a job with an annual salary that exceeds or should […]
As spring rolls into summer, bankruptcy lawyers await the Supreme Court's decision in Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkinson. With the Supreme Court's term ending June 30, 2014, some wonder if the Court will, in fact, declare bankruptcy […]
It's generally known that Bankruptcy Code section 547(b)(4)(A) provides that for non-insider creditors, a preferential transfer is one made "on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of the petition." The calculation of the 90-day "preference […]
Employers must treat severance payments to involuntarily terminated employees as taxable wages. In an 8-0 opinion, the Supreme Court held that such payments are "remuneration for employment" for which taxes much be withheld and paid under the Federal […]
It is unfortunate, but true: a commercial tenant may someday be required to deal with a bankrupt landlord. Any bankruptcy filing can be complicated and chaotic. But, a tenant faced with a landlord's is more than just a creditor who is […]
It may be time to reassess what are widely considered to be standard provisions in your severance agreements. One of the EEOC’s latest initiatives is to target fairly routine provisions in severance agreements, including non-disparagement, non-disclosure […]
Employers have several things to consider when deciding whether to pursue an employee for violating her non-compete agreement. Among the legal considerations is whether the employer will be able to recover its attorneys' fees. When an employee breaches […]
On June 9, 2014, while the Bankruptcy Bar waited with bated breath, Justice Thomas delivered the long-anticipated opinion of the unanimous Court in Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkinson. While the Supreme Court answered the question of […]
On June 13, 2013, Governor Rick Perry signed H.B. 1188, codified under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 142.001, et seq., that is designed to limit claims against employers for negligent hiring and supervision of employees. Pursuant to § […]
In Texas, non-compete reasonableness restricts an employee’s ability to compete against her former employer must comply with the Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 15.50(a). Aside from being ancillary to or part of an otherwise enforceable […]
A recent, troubling decision by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California in Gladstone v. Bank of America (In re Vassau) concluded that alleged preferential payments made to a fully secured creditor might be recovered […]