Without a doubt, this Fall will be a decisive period for the United States as it relates to national cannabis policy. Voters in five states, Massachusetts among them, will have the opportunity to dictate whether cannabis will be legalized for recreational use, joining...
PLDO Law Blog
Firm News
RI Supreme Court Provides Long Awaited Guidance on Trust Attorneys’ Duty to Beneficiaries
In December of 2015, the Rhode Island Supreme Court provided guidance on the duties an attorney advising a trustee owes to the trust's beneficiaries. Audette v. Poulin, 127 A.3d 908 (R.I. 2015). Audette, the beneficiary of a trust, brought claims of negligence and...
Florida Court Rules Invalidated Will Does Not Revoke Prior Will
A Florida Court has recently applied the doctrine of dependent relative revocation to uphold a prior will where the later will was procured by undue influence. In re Estate of Murphy, 184 So. 3d 1221 (Fla. App. 2d Dist. Jan. 20, 2016). The testatrix, Virginia Murphy,...
Notice of an Employee’s Rights under FMLA Must Include Job Protection Rights
A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit highlights the importance of proper notice to employees of their rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). (Vannoy v. Fed. Reserve Bank of Richmond, 4th Cir., No....
IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC
It is widely recognized that the system of corporate governance is a key approach to preserving and protecting an enterprise and its stakeholders by checks and balances among the board and officers of a corporation. Strong governance policies make it possible to...
IS 2021 THE YEAR FOR RHODE ISLAND? SMOKE SIGNALS POINT TO CANNABIS ADULT USE LICENSING
In 2017, the State of Rhode Island expanded its medical marijuana program by creating a licensing process for the cultivation and manufacturing of cannabis and cannabis products for sale at the State’s three sanctioned compassion centers. By all accounts – industry...
Cyber Security in a COVID-19 World
A recently published article by the Harvard Law School Forum provides valuable insight to the multiple challenges being faced due to the pandemic. Although businesses have readily discussed the actions to be taken in the event of a pandemic, the scope of challenges...
Recent ADA Decision Likely to Spur Employee Lawsuits
Employers in the four easternmost New England states should be aware of recent case law that may radically impact their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Federal courts in those states are subject to the guidance of the U.S. Circuit Court...
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,...
