Resources
Stay in the know of company and industry updates, accomplishments and more!
Chicago’s New Fair Workweek Ordinance Requires Certain Employers to Provide Predictive Work Schedules
On July 1, 2020, the City of Chicago rolled out the Fair Workweek Ordinance, which requires certain employers to provide predictable work schedules to eligible employees and pay additional compensation if the employer subsequently modifies the schedule. The City’s decision to implement the Ordinance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many employers scrambling to determine whether their business is subject to the Ordinance, what employers need to do to comply, and how the Ordinance will be enforced during the ongoing pandemic.
Are False Accusations of Racism a Form of Defamation?
The other day as I was taking my work-from-home morning walk, I explored a thought: Should racism be made a per se defamation category?
Clearly, that’s not a solution to the enormous problem of societal and institutional racism spurring the current protests in furtherance of the Black Lives Matter movement, in the wake of George Floyd’s death. But as a lawyer who concentrates in defamation litigation, it was an idea that intrigued me.
Property Tax Deadlines Extended
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, some county governments have extended deadlines for payment of property taxes or waived interest and penalties for late payment. The relief has been ad hoc with different measures enacted by different counties.
Employee? Independent Contractor?
Health clubs face difficult decisions when determining whether to retain personal trainers, instructors, therapists, and other workers as employees or independent contractors.
Converting a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA
Question: With the past and perhaps an impending further drop in the stock market, does it now make sense to convert my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Prohibits Workplace Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
On Monday, June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision holding that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Federal Bankruptcy Court Rules Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order Triggered Lease’s “Force Majeure” Provision
Last week, a Chicago-based federal bankruptcy judge ruled that Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order addressing the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a lease’s “force majeure” provision entitling a tenant to a rent reduction.
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
Earlier today, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (“PPPFA”). The PPPFA addresses the problem many employers were facing with the ability to seek loan forgiveness based upon restrictions under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) enacted earlier this year.
Accessing Retirement Plan Funds Under the CARES Act
Question: My wife lost her job as a result of her company downsizing during the pandemic
and our family is now down to one income. Is there an effective way to tap our retirement accounts for the shortage of funds we now have without undue tax cost?
Leveraging the Current Environment to Meet Business and Estate Planning Goals
Recent events have led to weighty economic issues in the United States and around the world. While this will continue to cause anxiety and present serious challenges, the current situation has also created a significant opportunity to maximize wealth transfers and avoid transfer taxes. Two factors have converged to make this opportunity.