Monthly Archives: January 2012

January 20, 2012

NLRB Recess Appointments Challenged — Could Further Postpone Notice Posting

By Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.

As Hospitalty Labor and Employment Law Blog readers are aware, on August 30, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (the “Board”) issued a rule requiring employers to post notices informing employees of their right to join or form a union. We blogged about the impact of the notice and its requirements on hospitality employers here. The rule was originally supposed to go into effect in November, but was subsequently pushed back to January 31, 2012 as a result of mounting criticism against the rule. Indeed, several lawsuits have been filed by business groups alleging that the Board overstepped its discretion in imposing the rule on employers. A federal judge in one of the cases recently asked the Board to further postpone the posting requirement so that the legal challenges could be heard, and the Board agreed, this time postponing the rule’s implementation to April 30, 2012.

Posted in Legal Updates | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

Ohio Statehouse Update: Week in Review — January 20, 2012

By McDonald Hopkins News

1. House Republicans outline priorities

House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and Ohio House Republicans held a press conference this week to outline legislative priorities for 2012. The caucus touted the 90 bills passed in the first half of the General Assembly addressing regulatory reform, prescription drug abuse and the creation of JobsOhio.

Republican leaders said they will initiate comprehensive, bipartisan hearings on the state’s school funding formula and student achievement. These efforts will be led by Representative Ron Amstutz (R- Wooster), chair of the House Finance Committee. “We want to create a new model of achievement and accountability that will benefit all of Ohio’s students and give those from disadvantaged geographic regions an equal chance to succeed,” said Rep. Amstutz.

Posted in Legal Updates | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

Steven L. Daniels and Jane Lincoln complete sale of apartment complex in Broward County

By MLB of Arnstein & Lehr

Steven L. Daniels

Arnstein & Lehr West Palm Beach Partner Steven L. Daniels and Paralegal Jane Lincoln just completed the complicated sale of a 352 unit apartment complex in Broward County for $7.9 million. Representing the seller, it involved the discounting of several layers of bond financing used to originally purchase the property, clearing of liens, violations and the coordination with bond counsel, bond trustee counsel, bankruptcy counsel for one of the bondholders, purchasers counsel and lenders counsel, which provided the financing.

Posted in News | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

David Sugar quoted in Chicago Tribune article about 2012 association challenges

By MLB of Arnstein & Lehr

David Sugar

Arnstein & Lehr Chicago Partner David Sugar was quoted in a January 4 article in the Chicago Tribune. The article titled “Top issues that associations will face in the coming year” sought industry professionals to provide predictions of possible challenges associations can expect in 2012. David commented on the issue of pets in residential buildings and how handicapped people often have a need for them, despite rules that forbid animals. He advises associations to consider such situations and support animals in non-pet buildings.

To read the article in full, please click here.

Posted in News | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

John L. Ropiequet gives presentation at the Winter Meeting of the ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee

By MLB of Arnstein & Lehr

John L. Ropiequet

Arnstein & Lehr Chicago Partner John L. Ropiequet delivered two presentations at the Winter Meeting of the ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee in Park City, Utah on January 9. The first presentation, entitled “Wal-Mart v. Dukes – How Much of a Hazard to Class Certification in Financial Services Cases?” explored whether the Supreme Court’s Dukes case sounded the death knell for fair lending class actions based on alleged pricing discrimination and the implications of the decision for federal fair lending enforcement actions. The second presentation, “Professional Ethical Challenges Presented by the Robo-Signing Crisis,” discussed the serious and widespread lapses in professional ethics manifested in the robo-signing phenomenon, the risks to legal professionals, and what can be done about them.

Posted in News | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE advised on €24 million acquisition of shopping mall Babilonas I

By TGS Baltic

Donatas Zdanavičius

Tark Grunte Sutkiene was a legal advisor for Pontos in acquisition of 100% shares of Mulga, UAB, a local company holding the assets of the shopping mall Babilonas I in Panevėžys, Lithuania.

Tark Grunte Sutkiene performed the due diligence, drafted SPA and credit documents, counselled on the transaction structuring and all other legal matters related to the deal.

Posted in Europe | News

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

Robert A. McKenzie makes appearance on WGN-TV as tax expert

By MLB of Arnstein & Lehr

Robert A. McKenzie

Chicago Associate Robert A. McKenzie appeared on WGN-TV on January 9 and provided tips on recent tax changes. Mr. McKenzie spoke for approximately 3 minutes in the interview. Regarding individuals, he discussed the reduced Alternative Minimum Tax exemptions for 2012, the expiration of the Private Mortgage Insurance deduction, the reduction in Pre-tax mass transit exclusions from $250 to $125, and the new requirements for foreign asset reporting. Regarding businesses, Robert discussed the expiration of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, except for veterans.

To view the clip, click here.

Posted in News | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

Jason Tremblay writes Inside Counsel article on protective hiring process tips for companies

By MLB of Arnstein & Lehr

Jason Tremblay

Arnstein & Lehr Chicago Partner Jason Tremblay authored the article, “7 ways to protect your company when hiring from a competitor,” which appeared in the January 9 edition of Inside Counsel. In the article, Mr. Tremblay recommends when hiring a competitor’s employee that a company should take certain steps to reduce the likelihood of being sued. He offers seven tips for the hiring process and how to behave once they start working.

To view the article in full, click here.

Posted in News | North America

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE advised on €24 million acquisition of shopping mall Babilonas I

By TGS Baltic

Donatas Zdanavičius

Tark Grunte Sutkiene was a legal advisor for Pontos in acquisition of 100% shares of Mulga, UAB, a local company holding the assets of the shopping mall Babilonas I in Panevėžys, Lithuania.
Tark Grunte Sutkiene performed the due diligence, drafted SPA and credit documents, counselled on the transaction structuring and all other legal matters related to the deal.

The shopping mall Babilonas I is the largest leading shopping centre in Panevėžys district and one of the best-known shopping centres in Lithuania. With gross leasable area of over 22 thousand square metre and the annual footfall of 4.5 million visitors, this shopping centre offers a solid international tenant mix, including NewYorker, United Colors of Benetton, JYSK, Deichmann, Takko Fashion, and is anchored by Hyper Norfa, one of the leading supermarket chains in Lithuania. Panevėžys is the 5th largest city in the country with over 110,000 inhabitants, located on an intersection of two trans-European transportation arteries, connecting major Baltic and European cities. The strategic location makes Babilonas I a key retail destination in the region.

Posted in Europe | News

Read full article

ILN Today Post

January 19, 2012

An Olympic headache for employers?

By Fladgate LLP

The long anticipated Olympic Games (Games) are finally arriving in London in July 2012. Whilst many Londoners are excited at hosting such a prestigious sporting event, employers face legitimate concerns that disruption for staff and their day to day operations may spoil the occasion.

By planning ahead and preparing for the inevitable consequences of the Games, it should be possible to avoid the worst of the disruption.

Employee absence

Holiday leave is likely to be much in demand during the Games for members of staff who are volunteering at the Games, who wish to attend daytime events, or even from those who want to get away from it all. Employers should be considering now what minimum staffing levels are required and planning ahead to ensure that these are maintained. Any special arrangements for considering holiday requests for leave during the Games should be clarified to employees – for example, holiday leave could be limited to five working days to give the most employees possible the chance to experience the Games and associated festivities. More…

Posted in Europe | Legal Updates

Read full article