Advisories
CONSTRUCTION LAW
CHALLENGES FACING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN 2023
The construction industry has enjoyed strong growth during the past several years and it continues to be an interesting time for small and medium sized companies. Infrastructure projects have increased significantly due to funding by Congress, and although… READ MORE
CORPORATE & BUSINESS
PROTECTING MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN A CLOSELY HELD CORPORATION
A minority shareholder in a closely held business is someone who owns less than fifty percent of the outstanding shares, while the majority shareholders…READ MORE
MAJOR RULING BY NLRB THREATENS ENFORCEABILITY OF SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has declared that it is unlawful under federal law for employers to ask or require non-manager/non-supervisor employees who are being terminated to sign…READ MORE
NEW DELAWARE COURT DECISION PLACES ADDED RESPONSIBILITY ON CORPORATE OFFICERS
As we have noted in the past, the courts of many states often look to the case law interpreting the Delaware corporation, limited liability company (LLC) and limited partnership statutes. There are many reasons …READ MORE
THE ENTREPRENEUR AND THE BUSINESS PLAN
Creating a business plan is essential for an entrepreneur. The primary value of this exercise is to have a written outline of the essential aspects of the business, which provides a baseline for evaluating its …READ MORE
DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS
Family businesses are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy by a number of metrics. According to FamilyBusiness.org, out of the 37 million businesses in the…READ MORE
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (“FTC”) PROPOSES SWEEPING NEW RULES REGARDING NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS?
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend amount state legislatures toward placing limits on, and in a few states banning, non-competition agreements (“NCAs”) between companies and…READ MORE
WILL THERE BE NEW GUIDELINES ON DEFINING EMPLOYEES VS. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS?
The Federal Register published a report last month regarding recent developments in the longstanding debate and questions about how employers may seek to classify “employees” versus “independent contractors” in the…READ MORE
RECENT CHANGES IN DELAWARE CORPORATION LAW
On August 1, 2022, several changes in Delaware corporation law (the “Delaware General Corporation Law” or “DGCL”) became effective. The DGCL is important whether or not your company is organized…READ MORE
THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT – PREPARING NOW WILL HELP YOU AVOID PENALTIES
Over 20 million existing businesses stand to be affected by the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The CTA will require small entities to report certain information about themselves and their founders, owners, or those who exercise control over them. The CTA will apply to both domestic and foreign entities, with the required filings…READ MORE
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED FEDERAL RULE ON THE AUTO INDUSTRY
In an effort to address deceptive advertising, bait and switch marketing and the use of hidden add-on expenses, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which was focused on the sale and leasing of motor vehicles by…READ MORE
PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL
The concept of “piercing the corporate veil” continues to be misunderstood and a highly litigated issue. As a general rule of law, corporations are legal entities separate from its shareholders and responsible for its obligations. However, under certain circumstances shareholders and officers could become liable for the liabilities of the …READ MORE
MORE ON THE IMPACT OF CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS ON ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS
Two months ago, we published a Client Advisory discussing the anticipated impact of current market conditions on acquisition transactions (“M&A Transactions”). These included an increase in the use of earnouts. In a typical earnout, the parties agree on a purchase price to be paid at closing, which is always less than …READ MORE
AVOIDING COMMON LEGAL MISTAKES MADE BY STARTUPS
Launching a startup business has many challenges that could become potholes unless the founders are diligent and thoughtful. Often times, mistakes are made during the formation stage as the company begins to grow and, also, when dealing with employees. An important first step in beginning a business with other parties…READ MORE
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DRAFTING WATERFALL PROVISIONS IN OPERATING AGREEMENTS
There are many challenges to starting a business, and financing is the highest priority. Investors will be focused on how profits and losses are allocated and how their interest will be protected. It is crucial that a clear and valid contract that describes these allocations is created. The contractual documents and/or state law will govern how…READ MORE
REUTER V. CITY OF METHUEN: BAD NEWS FOR MASSACHUSETTS EMPLOYERS
Unlike employees who voluntarily resign, the so-called Massachusetts Wage Act (M.G.L. chapter 149, section 148) requires that terminated employees be paid the full amount of wages owed to them on the date they are discharged. This includes regular wages, at the then current rate, plus earned commissions and payment for unused vacation…READ MORE
FORTHCOMING TRENDS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE REGULATION
In recent years, we’ve observed legal and regulatory developments in the areas of privacy law and the misuse of personal data begin to catch up with the massive growth in global electronic connectivity and access to the internet, including measures passed in the United States and Europe guaranteeing users of the internet certain controls over their…READ MORE
THE IMPACT OF CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS ON ACQUISITON TRANSACTIONS
It is probably fair to say that current economic conditions, as well as other factors, are impacting acquisition transactions (“M&A Transactions”) in a variety of ways. The root cause of this can be summed up in one-word: “Uncertainty.” These factors include, but are certainly not limited to, the following: Supply chain problems are continuing, and they are adversely affecting target company…READ MORE
MANAGING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS FOR INVESTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS
In order for an investor to determine and validate that a company is worth making an investment, they must go through a process called “due diligence.” The phrase due diligence refers to an exercise of care performed by the investor about a prospective company in order to confirm the company is real and has a competent management team …READ MORE
FINCEN ISSUES PROPOSED REGULATIONS INTERPRETING THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT
In November of 2021, we published a Client Advisory summarizing the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) and its impact upon both newly formed and existing business entities. The CTA was passed by Congress in early 2021 and becomes effective upon the issuance of final Treasury Regulations …READ MORE
THE INTERSECTION OF LEGAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES
In order for a lawyer or accountant to effectively represent a corporation, it is important to take the time to understand and appreciate the business challenges in addition to the legal issues being confronted. Appreciating the underpinnings of the business operation and challenges will provide …READ MORE
NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS IN ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS: “ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL”
Non-compete agreements (“NCAs”) are a key component in virtually all merger and acquisition transactions and, provided they are reasonably in scope and duration, they have generally been enforced by the courts in cases involving post-closing challenges. …READ MORE
THE IMPORTANCE OF COVENANTS IN A BUSINESS TRANSACTION TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS
In a business transaction in which either stock or assets are being transferred, the parties to the transaction rely upon representations, warranties and covenants to protect their interest, whether it is the buyer or seller. Representations and warranties essentially address an information gap between the time the purchase and sale agreement …READ MORE
THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT: NEW FEDERAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS ENTITIES
Under the laws of most states, the formation of a new business entity requires the filing of certain paperwork with the secretary of state or other specified state filing office. In most cases, the information required includes the names and addresses of the board of directors, managers, etc…READ MORE
CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASING A UNIONIZED BUSINESS
When a buyer decides to acquire a unionized business that is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”), it is important for the buyer to take steps prior to the closing so that it can protect its rights visà-vis the unionized employees of the seller. Structuring the transaction as a stock acquisition versus an asset transaction could make a difference for the buyer as it relates to the status of the seller’s …READ MORE
EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT: IRS PROVIDES ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FOR 2021 Q3 AND Q4
The Employee Retention Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit originally enacted under the CARES Act (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act), and subsequently amended in the waning days of 2020. The credit can be applied by qualifying employers against the employer’s share of Social Security payments due with respect to certain employee …READ MORE
IMPORTANT MASSACHUSETS DECISION ON SOFTWARE SALES TAX APPORTIONMENT
The case of Oracle USA, Inc. v. Commissioner of Revenue was recently decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in favor of the taxpayer. The case is important for at least two reasons: First, the Court found that Massachusetts taxpayers have a statutory …READ MORE
THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
On January 1, 2021, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which imposes significant new reporting requirements on both domestic and foreign business entities and effectively creates a beneficiary ownership registry at the federal level. Managers, directors, and officers should become familiar with the new requirements, as the CTA imposes substantial penalties for willfully providing false information or failing to report/ update beneficial ownership information. Violating the CTA reporting requirements can result in ..READ MORE
OWNERS, KEY EMPLOYEES AND THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
The life cycle of a closely-held business usually ends with a sale. Some owners simply want to receive
the financial reward due them for their hard work and investment, while others may want to preserve their
legacy by transferring ownership to key employees. The…READ MORE
HOW IMPORTANT IS A LETTER OF INTENT?
The importance and impact of a letter of intent or “LOI” in a prospective transaction should not be minimized as it establishes the basic understanding of the parties, and lays out certain terms of the deal that will ultimately be included in the final documents…READ MORE
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOWN-ROUNDS
It is fair to say that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been profound. It has adversely impacted businesses of all sizes around the world, though sometimes disproportionately in the case of certain industries and smaller and mid-sized privately-held companies….READ MORE
10 KEY ELEMENTS OF A FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLAN
All professionals develop business plans to map out a strategy to target new opportunities. Businesses develop business plans for the purpose of defining who they are and how they will profile expertise or products to potential buyers. Succession plans are much different…READ MORE
SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING CHALLENGES IN FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES
The family-owned business is often assessed as a difficult structure to move from one generation to the next, and at times, may even be referred to as a breeding ground for political maneuvering and dissension. Notwithstanding, there are more success stories than failures…READ MORE
RAISING CAPITAL FOR STARTUPS
As we all know, banks are not inclined to lend to startup companies, which is why you need investors. When seeking outside capital for startups or existing companies, it is important to be aware of a range of securities laws in terms of what they require or prohibit in this type of exercise…READ MORE
FIDUCIARY DUTIES AND THE BUSINESS JUDGEMENT RULE
As a general proposition, fiduciary duties of board members and officers are rules of conduct that require a person to act in the interest of someone else. Officers and directors are responsible for managing the assets of the corporation for the benefit of the shareholders. In essence, the shareholders benefit…READ MORE
SEC PROPOSES CONDITIONAL EXEMPTION FROM BROKER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN “FINDERS”
On October 7, 2020 the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed a new conditional exemption from the broker registration requirements for certain “finders” who assist small businesses in capital raising transactions involving only accredited investors. If adopted, this new exemption would… READ MORE
POST-CLOSING STRATEGY FOR THE INVESTOR AND FOUNDER
One of the most important steps to be taken after an investment has been made in a start-up company is to develop a leadership structure that will take the company to the next level. A new board of directors should be established and board governance policies implemented. Investors will want oversight and the opportunity to measure overall performance of the company. In addition, the directors will be responsible for addressing capitalization issues… READ MORE
SEC ADOPTS A NEW DEFINITION OF “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”
On August 26, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted amendments to the definition of “accredited investor.” The amendments permit investors to qualify as accredited investors based upon additional criteria focused on financial sophistication, in addition to the historic tests relating to their income or net worth. The amendments become effective sixty (60) days after publication in the Federal Register…. READ MORE
NAVIGATING DUE DILIGENCE PLANNING AND EQUITY FINANCING
When contemplating making an investment in a newly formed company, due diligence must be performed both by and for the investor. Notwithstanding, the entrepreneur will also benefit from this process and should create their own due diligence plan so they are prepared to answer the difficult financial and operational questions that will be asked by the investor…. READ MORE
U.S. SUPREME COURT OPENS THE DOOR TO “GENERIC.COM” TRADEMARKS
Booking.com, an on-line travel agency that books hotel reservations and provides other services to customers, filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) to register the trademark “Booking.com.” The application was rejected based on the well-established principle that generic terms are not subject to trade mark… READ MORE
COURTS START TO WEIGH IN ON COVID-19 LAWSUITS
We recently issued an advisory about the forthcoming explosion of lawsuits arising out of the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, we discussed the legal concept of “force majeure,” which refers to a party’s ability to be excused from performing their obligations in a contract based upon so-called “acts of God” or unforeseen circumstances… READ MORE
KEYS TO CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION PLAN FOR CLOSELY HELD BUSINESSES
Entrepreneurs possess unique characteristics and talents that they apply to create a new business, including being comfortable taking risks in order to bring into existence new products or services… READ MORE
HOW WILL THE CORONAVIRUS IMPACT YOUR CONTRACTS?
The coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented in our modern history and economy. Because so much of our business world revolves around contracts and the terms that parties use to make their agreements, the words they use matter. Two of those words that are becoming increasingly important … READ MORE
ENHANCED BANKRUPTCY OPTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER THE CARES ACT
With little fanfare, the Bankruptcy Code received its first major revision in 15 years in February 2020. This new revision – called “Subchapter V” – is primarily designed to make it easier for qualified small businesses with total secured and unsecured debt of up to… READ MORE
The Pros and Cons of Representation and Warranty Insurance in Merger and Acquisition Transactions
Representation and warranty insurance (“RWI”) has been around for some time. Historically, it was most commonly used in large transactions, often involving publicly traded companies. However, in recent years it has become much more common in… READ MORE
What Is “Shadow Preferred Stock” and When Should It Be Used?
The use of convertible promissory notes or, in recent years, “SAFEs” – Simple Agreements for Future Equity – have been common structures used by early stage companies to raise seed capital… READ MORE
What Investors and Developers Should Know About Opportunity Funds
Opportunity Zone (“OZ”) investments were sanctioned by changes to the Internal Revenue Code included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (See IRC section 1400Z-2). The purpose was to encourage investment in economically depressed areas by providing investors with …. READ MORE
Artificial Intelligence – What The Developing Landscape Means For Your Business
The Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) industry is rapidly emerging as one of the most interesting new advancements likely to impact a broad array of industries. AI is well beyond the nascent stages of development, and is quickly taking center stage as a gateway profit maximizer for forward-thinking business leaders. In short, AI has arrived… READ MORE
Business Succession Planning Is Not “One Size Fits All”
Succession planning has different meanings depending upon whether one is referring to a change in ownership of a business, transfer of an estate o developing a management team to take over for an owner desirous of retiring. In the business context, succession planning is not limited to the preparation of wills and trusts in an estate plan or providing equity compensation to key employees… READ MORE
Municipal Barriers to Cannabis Enterprises
The nation’s burgeoning patchwork of state cannabis industries are arguably the most heavily regulated industries in the land. While most investors and aspiring operators have a certain level of awareness regarding the complexities that await them in compliance with state-specific regulations, many overlook the gating issues that exist in the arena of municipal compliance… READ MORE
Pros And Cons Of LLCS Electing S Corporation Status
An S corporation is a business corporation (or more recently, an LLC or partnership) organized under state law that elects to be treated, for income tax purposes, as a so-called “S corporation,” under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. S corporations have been around for over 60 years. They were enacted primarily to assist small business owners by permitting them the benefits of operating as a corporation (less personal liability, etc.) and at the same time avoiding double income tax on business profits… READ MORE
New Massachusetts Law Limiting Employee Non-Compete Agreements
After numerous failed attempts, the Massachusetts legislature has finally passed a new law limiting non-compete agreements between a company and its employees and independent contractors. The legislation was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Banker on August 10, 2018. It becomes effective on October 1, 2018… READ MORE
Succession Planning And The Family Limited Partnership Solution
Representing closely held family businesses often involves counseling the founders with regard to developing a succession plan that involves the children. The potential transfer of power and authority within a family business is one of the greatest concerns of the owners. “Having your cake and eating it too” is the general theme of the founder who does not want to squander family assets or give up control of the enterprise. One solution and consideration to this dilemma is transferring minority ownership and retaining control through the use of a family limited partnership (“FLP”)… READ MORE
New Rules Governing IRS Audits Of Tax Partnerships
Effective January 1, 2018, the IRS has made significant changes in the rules applicable to audits of entities treated as partnerships for tax purposes. This includes both general and limited partnerships as well as many limited liability companies… READ MORE
Family Business Disputes… Like An Awkward Thanksgiving?
Family gatherings at Thanksgiving often bring a mix of emotions: happiness at being re-united with loved ones who may live far away, but also sometimes stress over strained family relationships caused by a myriad of reasons… READ MORE
Will the CEO See the Crisis Coming? Or, What Do Wells Fargo, United Airlines and Uber Have in Common?
The daily news is filled with reports of corporate clumsiness and misdeeds, whether affecting employees or customers, or violations of law or societal norms, that threaten the goodwill and value of the companies involved. Why do such blunders occur, and how should company leadership both prevent the likelihood of such occurrences and respond when a crisis arises?… READ MORE
Convertible Notes, “Safes” and “Kisses”: A Primer for Early Stage Companies Seeking Outside Investors
It is a rare company that can fund its growth using only internal cash flow. Start-ups and early stage companies can be particularly challenged because they often do not have access to either bank financing or venture capital since both sources typically require several years of positive operating results before a company becomes a viable candidate for either… READ MORE
Planning to Sell Your Company? The Pros and Cons of Asset Sales, Stock Sales and Mergers
Once you decide to sell your company and identify a potential buyer, one of the many issues you will have to negotiate with the buyer is how the sale will be structured. The most common structures are a sale of assets, a sale of stock or a merger. Before you get into a negotiation of structure, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each… READ MORE
Medical Franchising: A Practice Model for the Millennium
Physician satisfaction is at a low-point, with one-third of family physicians and over half of certain specialists saying they would not choose to become doctors again if given a second chance.1 Shrinking reimbursements and a fifteen-minute patient encounter spent typing into the electronic medical record have turned the old-fashioned physician-patient relationship into a distant memory. Further, those practitioners who have sought relief from large, hospital based practices or accountable care organizations have often found themselves just as pressured by their new RVU compensation models, by quality metrics that often do not reflect the latest research, and by the ethical dilemmas present in systems where care-management eligibility is based upon the patient’s payment model… READ MORE
Shareholder Demands for Confidential Company Information
What Are The Company’s Rights And Obligations? Public companies are required to provide, on a regular basis, extensive information about their businesses and financial condition. All of that information is readily available to shareholders and others. Conversely, similar information regarding private companies is generally not available, even to its shareholders. For that reason, the laws of virtually every state give private company shareholders limited rights to receive non-public information regarding a private company in which they own an equity interest… READ MORE
The Pros & Cons of Dual Class Stock Structures
A so-called “dual class stock” structure is a tried and true method of ensuring that a group of shareholders (usually insiders, such as all or some of the founders, senior management or early investors in the company) maintain voting power that is disproportionate to their economic interest in the company… READ MORE
New Massachusetts Law Mandates Equal Pay For Comparable Work
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently signed into law a new Massachusetts statute designed to ensure that male and female employees are paid equally for comparable work. However, the new statute does not become effective until July 1, 2018. The so-called “Act to Establish Pay Equality” (the “Act”) has both a laudable purpose and the potential to create a compliance nightmare for employers… READ MORE
Death, Disability and the Closely-Held Business
Our financial life has many stages involving shorthand long-term goals. An attorney, like any other business owner, devotes considerable energy and resources to creating and growing their business. This process does not end until retirement… READ MORE
Planning for the Next Step in the Family Business
During the course of my career, I have represented family businesses of all shapes and sizes. It is an accepted fact that 95% of the businesses in the US are family owned and in many cases survive into two or more generations… READ MORE
Common Mistakes by Private Companies
Legal issues arise for every business. Typically, privately owned companies do not have in-house counsel. To avoid expensive legal problems before they occur, wise business owners conduct thorough periodic reviews of policies and practices to identity and address areas that need improvement… READ MORE
CYBER LAW
HELP WANTED: SHORTAGE OF CYBERSECURITY EXPERTS POSES CHALLENGES AND RISKS
If I was a parent of a first-year college student who was undecided in what major to declare, I’d firmly nudge him or her to consider going into nursing/healthcare studies or computer science/programming. Given the poor state of our global health and rapidly increasing cybersecurity risks and growth of artificial intelligence, both of these fields have limitless opportunities and growth potential…. READ MORE
Why Cyber Insurance is Not Enough
In case the title of this article creates any ambiguity, let that be resolved right away: cyber insurance is a good idea. Cyber breaches are an undeniable part of 21st century reality, and any business thinking that a robust Privacy and Security program will automatically shield it from a sanctionable event is engaging in a legal strategy known since Roman times as pium desiderium. Wishful thinking… READ MORE
The Real Risk Of GDPR Non-Compliance In Your Organization
American businesses, as a whole, are far behind their European counterparts in the extent of their compliance with GDPR, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. One of the most common reasons for this is also one of the most natural: it simply flies in the face of many Americans that their domestic activities might be governed by some European regulation. We did, after all, fight a war about a similar “taxation without representation” issue some 240 years ago… READ MORE
The Danger Of A WISP
For businesses that maintain data on customers or, increasingly, their own employees, the term “WISP” should be familiar. A WISP, or Written Information Security Program, is the document by which an entity spells out the administrative, technical and physical safeguards by which it protects the privacy of the personally identifiable information it stores… READ MORE
Prioritizing Cybersecurity
Lawyers today face enormous pressure in real time to adopt new technologies and those who do not may find it difficult to satisfy clients who expect immediate and continuous access to their attorney. The rules of professional conduct impose a duty on lawyers to provide competent representation, and the term “competence” would include at least a working familiarity with the technology that makes up much of the fabric of the clients’ day-to-day lives from a personal and professional perspective… READ MORE
CANNABIS LAW
THE VOTES ARE IN! WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE 25 RI COMMUNITIES THAT APPROVED CANNABIS RETAIL SALES?
On May 25, 2022, Rhode Island became the 19th state in the U.S. to legalize recreational adult-use marijuana. Ballot approval of marijuana business licenses was one of the key provisions of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, which was… READ MORE
RI LEGALIZES RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA
More than 15 years after establishing its medical marijuana program and, following years of on-and-off momentum, Rhode Island has become the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana.On May 25, 2022, the Governor signed into law a bill that not only allows adults over 21 to… READ MORE
NONPROFIT ADVISORIES
What’s In A Name? Considerations When Choosing A DBA For Your Organization
Nonprofit organizations sometimes find that changing missions or a desire for a more updated image fosters consideration of a change in the entity’s name. There are two options if you wish to alter your nonprofit’s name. The nonprofit can legally change its name by amending its founding document (the articles of incorporation). Alternatively, the organization can use a “DBA.” DBA stands for “doing business as,” and it is often referred to as a “fictitious” or “assumed” name….READ MORE
The For-Profit Subsidiary as a Strategy for the Nonprofit
Leadership in nonprofit organizations are challenged to find alternate strategies to generate revenue to support their mission, which have traditionally included fundraising and grants. The sources of income are shrinking for these categories making it ever more critical for leadership to think outside the traditional forms of third-party financial support…READ MORE
Analysis of a Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organization
Tax-exempt organizations exist for purposes recognized by federal law to fill a need not otherwise provided by government in the areas of charitable, educational, scientific and literary. The restrictions on revenue and profit for tax-exempt organizations are designed to maintain an even playing field with for-profit organizations while providing an opportunity to sustain the existence of nonprofits… READ MORE
Best Practices Checklist for Effective Nonprofit Management
The board of trustees of a nonprofit organization has a fiduciary responsibility relating to policies, procedures and governance matters. The organization should conduct an annual review of its mission statement, structure, compliance policies, and financial viability in order to confirm that the business operation is being conducted in a manner consistent with the mission statement of the organization, as well as State and Federal law… READ MORE
Fiduciary Duties for the Board Member of a Nonprofit Organization
In Rhode Island as in most jurisdictions, board members for nonprofit organizations have broad oversight authority and they have the ability to directly impact policies for governance, financial matters and the strategic planning of their organization… READ MORE
First it was Enron …Then Big Banks …. Is the Nonprofit Next?
It has been more than a decade since the American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) was signed into law and we have now had another recession caused in large part by irresponsible lending by banks. It was the same type of actions by Enron, Tyco, WorldCom and others that changed the corporate regulatory landscape forever; however, we seem to continue the trend of pushing the envelope in terms of transparency… READ MORE
HEALTH CARE LAW ADVISORIES
DANGER LURKS WITH INCENTIVE-BASED SALES STRATEGIES FOR HEALTH IT PLATFORMS
A wise person learns from the mistakes of others; and recently, the health IT industry was afforded such a learning opportunity by a well-known EHR platform. athenahealth, Inc. (Athena), an industry-leading EHR vendor, agreed to pay $18.25 million to resolve allegations… READ MORE
Project Nightingale and the Take-Away Lesson for Providers And Payors
There has been much ado lately about a newly-revealed joint venture between Ascension Medical Group and Google. Ascension is the nation’s largest non-profit health care system; Ascension Medical Group is the company’s subsidiary physician group, with facilities in more than twenty states. Google is, well, Google. The joint venture… READ MORE
Opting Out: The Ultimate MACRA Alternative
If yours is one of the small clinical practices with less than $30,000 in Medicare revenue or fewer than 100 unique Medicare patients per year, October 2nd, 2017 will be just another Monday for you. However, for most Medicare-participating healthcare practitioners, October 2nd will mark the day that their practice becomes subject to significant reporting requirements and financial risk under the Quality Payment Program of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“MACRA”)… READ MORE
Challenges for Nursing Homes
Nursing home owners are significantly challenged to remain in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding resident care, admission and reimbursement. They must make certain they are in compliance with federal and state regulations… READ MORE
Cybersecurity and Health Care
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights, during the first six months of 2015 more than 94 million individuals were subject to security breaches at health care organizations… READ MORE
Chronic Care Management by Federally Qualified Health Centers
Beginning on January 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will reimburse Federally Qualified Health Centers for non face-to-face Chronic Care Management (“CCM”) services… READ MORE
Advanced Care Planning
Beginning on January 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will reimburse physicians and non-physician practitioners for certain Advanced Care Planning (“ACP”) services… READ MORE
PLDO Criminal Defense Attorneys Obtain Deferred Prosecution Agreement for Health Care Organization – First in the Nation
A Rhode Island Hospital and several of its key personnel were indicted by a grand jury on criminal charges of conspiracy and scheming to defraud the State of Rhode Island and its citizens. The charges stemmed from a federal investigation into the executive directors’ hiring of a part-time consultant to purportedly promote the activities of a corporation affiliated with the Hospital. The issue was that the part-time consultant was also a politician… READ MORE
Patient Engagement Results in Better Health and Lower Costs
Patient engagement and access to relevant data are essential to achieving the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which include better health and lower costs. Reducing emergency room visits and readmissions are critical to reducing the overall costs of healthcare and in theory, if an individual is involved in their own healthcare needs, has access to a primary care physician and current medical records the incident for admission to an emergency room should be extremely low. Achieving better health requires that the patient is armed with the right tools, technology and team… READ MORE
EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISORIES
MAJOR RULING BY NLRB THREATENS ENFORCEABILITY OF SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has declared that it is unlawful under federal law for employers to ask or require non-manager/non-supervisor employees who are being terminated to sign…READ MORE
RHODE ISLAND’S NEW WAGE LAW – ARE YOU READY?
Beginning on New Year’s Day 2023, Rhode Island employers will be subject to a new and sweeping law designed to promote pay equity and fairness in the workplace. This new pay equity law will have major implications on Rhode Island businesses and expose employers to substantial liability even where employers mistakenly or innocently violate the law’s requirements…READ MORE
CYBERSECURITY ENFORCEMENT RISKS FOR ERISA PLAN SPONSORS
Employers that sponsor ERISA retirement or health plans should anticipate the Department of Labor taking a more aggressive enforcement stance in regard to the cybersecurity of those plans. ERISA is enforced by DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”). Recently, EBSA published new cybersecurity guidance for…READ MORE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSES NEW RULE ON INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
On September 22, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) released a proposed regulation addressing when a service provider should be classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee. The DOL is soliciting comments to the proposed new rules for a thirty (30) day period following publication in the…READ MORE
Rights of Workers in the Burgeoning Gig Economy
A growing workforce of freelancers and independent contractors who have the freedom to decide on the duration and frequency of their work is changing the employer-employee relationship. The expanded population and earning capacity of “gig” workers is expected to continue and is now part of the 21st century “gig economy.”….READ MORE
New Rhode Island Law Requires Employers To Provide Paid Sick Leave
Rhode Island became the eighth state to pass a paid sick leave law. (R.I. Gen. Laws 28-57-1et seq). The law requires Rhode Island employers with 18 or more employees to provide paid sick and safe leave as of July 1, 2018. For employers with less than 18 employees, the law mandates that employers allow use of unpaid sick leave…READ MORE
MUNICIPAL LAW
Treasury Final Rule Provides More Flexibility To Local Governments In The Use Of American Rescue Plan Funds
In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued the long-awaited Final Rule (FR) for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), which is a part of the American Rescue Plan. The SLFRF permits $350 billion to be allocated nationally—from which the State of Rhode Island will receive approximately $1.1 billion and local municipalities will be sharing….READ MORE
Local Government Must Be Cautious In The Use Of American Rescue Plan Funds
State and local government budgets throughout the country have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government officials have been forced to make significant cuts in their budget, delay infrastructure projects, reduce spending for education and in many cases use their rainy-day funds to simply…..READ MORE
Establishing Rules Of Decorum In A Virtual Public Meeting World
Prior to the introduction of a virtual world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, if you witnessed a city councilor popping open a beer, drinking it and then eating dinner while the council meeting was in session, your reaction likely would be bewilderment and outrage, and lead you to believe that the councilmember simply did not care enough to pay…..READ MORE
TRUST & ESTATE PLANNING
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS – A WAY TO CONVERT APPRECIATED PROPERTY INTO AN INCOME STREAM FOR RETIREMENT AND MORE
Despite recent market volatility caused by the pandemic, war in Ukraine, and inflation fears, rarely in U.S. history have so many individuals owned so much highly appreciated property. A significant percentage of these assets are owned by those approaching retirement….READ MORE
DECANTING: AN OVERLOOKED TOOL IN THE TOOLKIT
There are many benefits to using an irrevocable trust in estate planning. Chief among them are tax savings and asset protection. However, many blanch at the thought of transferring assets into something so seemingly permanent as an irrevocable trust. You have worked hard your entire life amassing….READ MORE
IRREVOCABLE TRUSTS: TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR RETIREMENT
Many people do not consider protecting assets for future long-term-care costs until they, or their spouse, requires skilled nursing care. Others are aware of the high price of such care (in some cases more than $10,000 a month) but believe that they have saved enough in retirement to defray the cost…..READ MORE
End-Of-Year Tax Planning Tips and What You Should Know For 2020
As we approach the end of 2019, taxpayers need to be mindful to position themselves to minimize their state and federal income tax liability, which is due by April 15 of 2020. This is accomplished by accelerating deductions and deferring income….READ MORE
Establishing A Florida Domicile
An individual who establishes his or her domicile in Florida enjoys several benefits including no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no state gift tax, and no state estate or inheritance tax. Further, Floridians enjoy asset protection in the form of strong state laws that exempt their homestead, retirement assets, insurance, and certain spousal joint property from being used to satisfy a creditor’s judgment against an individual…READ MORE
The Florida Homestead Advantage
Individuals have been flocking to Florida for years. So, what’s so great about Florida? It’s not just the weather. Individuals who establish their homestead in Florida enjoy the following benefits:…READ MORE
Why Your Domicile Is A Key Factor In Estate Planning
Having an up-to-date estate plan is important for many reasons, one of which is to ensure you have properly planned to minimize the federal and state estate tax. The federal estate tax exemption in 2019 is $11.4 million per person, or $22.8 million per married couple. Although many people do not need to be concerned about federal estate tax, there are 12 states that impose a state estate tax and six states that impose an inheritance tax. Maryland imposes both…READ MORE
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