Under Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 and 1.16, a lawyer must safeguard a client’s property and deliver it promptly to the client upon the client’s request and upon termination of representation a lawyer shall take whatever steps are reasonably practical to protect a client’s interest. The ABA recently issued a formal opinion clarifying and updating a lawyer’s ethical obligations under these Rules and addressing practical considerations regarding the application of these Rules to practice.
OSHA’s Guide To Restroom Access for Transgender Workers
OSHA’s recent publication of its Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers (“Guide”) further forged OSHA’s foray into the spotlight of the hotly prolific LBGT rights discussion. The Guide, which aims to assure that employers provide a safe and healthful working environment for all employees, underscores the principle that “all employees should have access to restrooms that correspond to their gender identity,” according to Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
Proposed USDOL Rule Would Create Millions of Newly Overtime-Eligible Employees
The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has finally released its much-publicized and frequently delayed Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which would update the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations concerning who is and is not eligible for overtime pay under federal law. The USDOL estimates that some 5 million “white collar” workers will become newly eligible for overtime pay should the proposed rule go into effect.
Employers: Adapt to Obergefell
Employers must adapt to Obergefell v. Hodges. Prior to the Supreme Court’s June 26, 2015 decision, many states did not require employers to recognize and provide benefits for married same-sex couples. Only 36 states and Washington D.C. legalized same-sex marriage. Now, the Supreme Court determined that the 14th Amendment requires states to license same-sex marriages and to recognize lawfully licensed same-sex marriages performed out-of-state. In light of this holding, employers must ensure that their policies, procedures and the benefits comport with federal law.
Social Media Guidelines Get a Profile Update
Social Media has transformed the legal profession. Today’s lawyers routinely communicate, advertise, investigate and obtain information via the numerous social media platforms available at the click of a button. The rapid change in the way lawyers do business has created a new set of ethical challenges. In order to navigate this growing field of ethical issues, many states have issued guidelines for the use of social media in the legal profession. Last year, the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial and Federal Litigation Section issued its first set of Social Medial Ethics Guidelines. Just recently, those Guidelines were updated to address areas that require additional guidance including new sections on the retention of social media by lawyers, tracking of client social media, communications by lawyers with judges, and lawyers’ use of LinkedIn.
OSHA to Focus on Certain Key Hazards During Healthcare Inspections
As announced a few days ago, OSHA is expanding its use of enforcement resources in hospitals and nursing homes to focus on the following recognized hazards: i) musculoskeletal disorders related to patient or resident handling; ii) bloodborne pathogens; iii) workplace violence; iv) tuberculosis; and v) slips, trips, and falls.
Same-Sex Marriage: A Practical Guide for Employers
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has issued its highly anticipated ruling that states must legally recognize same-sex marriages, what specific impacts will it have on the employment relationship and employee benefits?
Impact on Employers After Supreme Court’s Ruling to Uphold Key Provision of Affordable Care Act
In a 6-3 decision issued today, the United States Supreme Court once again upheld President Obama’s signature legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, keeping the employer mandate in effect for all states — even those without their own health insurance exchange.
Attorney Lawsuit over Overtime Pay
Professionals often require additional assistance handling time-consuming, but routine, tasks. This is particularly apparent in complex litigation that involves voluminous discovery and document review. Not surprisingly, document review can quickly become one of the more labor-intensive and expensive stages of the case. In order to meet this challenge, many firms will hire temporary attorneys to review the discovery for privilege and scope. Before doing so, query whether these firms consider the overtime implications of the FLSA.
Summer is Coming. And OSHA Wants to Help Workers to Beat the Heat
It may not be officially summer just yet, but with the rising temperatures and bright sunny days, it is just around the corner. And while the summer heat means days spent at the beach and backyard barbeques, it also means an increased risk of heat-related illness and death. According to OSHA, each year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill due to working in the heat. While the majority of these incidents are from the construction industry, this issue affects all industries that involve outdoor work. To raise awareness and help protect workers, OSHA has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service. This is the fifth year these organizations have joined together to raise awareness in the prevention of heat-related injury and death at the workplace.
Workers’ Compensation Quarterly – Spring 2015
Timely summaries of decisions from across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania concerning workers’ compensation matters. It also provides the latest news regarding litigation, changes in interpretive language used by the courts, permanency determinations, and more.
Limitations on Local Counsel?
Attorneys often utilize local counsel to assist in a venue they are not licensed. The role of the local counsel will vary from case to case. Generally speaking, local counsel have a more limited role in the litigation. However, according to a recent NY ethics opinion, a limited role does not necessarily mean limited responsibilities or risks.
Up in Smoke? Colorado’s Highest Court Upholds Termination of Employee for Off-Duty Medical Marijuana Use
In a closely watched case involving the use of medical marijuana by an employee, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the lower courts’ rulings that businesses may fire employees for being under the influence of medical marijuana, even if that use takes place off the job.
Perusing Privileged Papers Prohibited
What to do? When reviewing discovery provided by your adversary you stumble upon a privileged document. It happens…sometimes privileged materials fall through the cracks and into the hands of opposing counsel. Do you read it, burn it, return it? According to a recent New Jersey decision, reading an inadvertently produced privileged document may be grounds for disqualification.
EEOC Continues With Strategic Enforcement Plan to Protect Transgender Individuals
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has now sued a Minnesota-based check printing company, alleging that the company illegally discriminated against a transgender employee by not letting her use the women’s restroom. The EEOC has also alleged that the company subjected the woman to a hostile workplace by allowing fellow employees to address the woman as a man.