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What employers need to know about noncompete rules
The Federal Trade Commission last week, in a 3-2 vote, approved a final rule banning noncompetes in almost all employment contexts. This sweeping rule, while not unexpected, has caused quite a stir among employers and workers alike. Here is what employers need to know. The FTC based its rulemaking authority to ban noncompetes on the […]
Your voice is your identity
In 1992 a jury awarded the singer Tom Waits the equivalent of $6 million in today’s dollars because Frito-Lay used a voice alike in its Doritos ad and in doing so misappropriated his right of publicity. Bette Midler, Shirley Booth and Bert Lahr also sued advertisers who used their voice alikes in ads. The reason […]
The new certificate of need rules
In October 2023, the Maryland Health Care Commission unanimously approved final regulations making significant changes to the Procedural Regulations for Health Care Facilities and Services. This adoption marks the last step in a multi-year process aimed at updating the certificate of need (CON) regulations to conform with significant statutory changes that have occurred since the […]
Why Moore should veto HB 1258
The members of the Maryland Delaware DC Press Association are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of HB 1258 on local journalism. This bill, which is on Gov. Wes Moore’s desk now, would upend the longstanding practice of publishing public notices in local newspapers and their associated websites, threatening the vitality of Maryland’s communities and […]
Dispelling 3 myths of Earth Day
Earth Day is April 22, 2024, and climate activists around the world are planning rallies and other events to draw attention to the growing threats posed by climate change. Many of these demonstrations will focus on what humanity can do to stop fueling the damage. But while activists are amplifying the dire findings from scientists, […]
Miscarriage of justice: The Dreyfus Affair
I am thankful that if Alfred Dreyfus were alive today and confronted with similar charges here in the United States, he would be entitled to due process and a fair trial.
The dark-money litigation industry
Investment firms seek to provide a strong return for their investors in various areas — from stocks, bonds, equity investments in companies and real estate. But what happens when a hedge fund, for instance, underwrites mass tort litigation against a life sciences company with FDA-approved products on the market and in the pipeline? If the […]
Hope is not the same as optimism
On April 3, 1968, standing before a crowded church, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. painted his vision for justice. “I’ve seen the Promised Land,” he said. “I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” Twenty-two hours later, […]
Youth Service Bureaus deserve support
Maryland’s Youth Service Bureaus were established in the 1970s as a statewide network of agencies to divert youth from the juvenile justice system. At that time the state was facing similar concerns about juvenile crime and delinquency. The concept of YSBs was developed to combat these concerns and provide services to youth and their families. […]
Do you take the case?
The phone rings. The voice on the other end asks you to take the case. The fee is great. You feel for the potential client. The subject is interesting, but outside your expertise. What do you do? As with most ethics issues, the answer lies in the rules. In this case, Maryland Rule 19-301.1 (Competence). […]
Maryland procurement laws are up to Key Bridge challenge
The question arises as to whether Maryland’s procurement laws and regulations are up for the task of recovering from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The new independent contractor rule is bad news for Latinos
Independent work is alive and well, but perhaps not for much longer. That’s because the Department of Labor’s new independent contractor rule would make it harder to be classified as an independent worker. It would likely lead to many of these workers being reclassified as employees or risk losing their livelihoods entirely. This is terrible […]
