Consumer rights advocates are praising a government move to crack down on so-called "predatory lenders" that charge triple-digit interest rates for "payday" loans. Providers of payday loans target individuals who cannot qualify for a traditional loan. It has been...
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Firm News
Billions Spent Illegally on ACA Benefits
The Affordable Care Act ("ACA") created both tax credits to make health insurance premiums more affordable and cost-sharing reductions intended to reduce deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays. According to the ACA, insurers are required to reduce the cost-sharing of...
The Legal Battle for Cell Phone Privacy Wages On
In order to aid Federal law enforcement officers with an investigation into the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, a judge has ordered Apple Inc. to develop new technology to defeat security measures present in iPhone operating systems. Apple, however, has...
HIPAA Business Associate Agreements: A Primer
If you work in the health care field, in any capacity, you have surely heard of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or "HIPAA;" and if you or your business create, use, disclose or accept protected health information ("PHI"), you are likely a...
Influencer Marketing Expansion Attracts Federal Regulators
The “influencer” marketing industry, which is predicted to become a $15 billion industry by 2022, is rapidly expanding, and with COVID-19 ramping up e-commerce, brands are increasingly turning to this marketing strategy. Influencers are people with varying amounts of...
How Will COVID-19 Tracking Apps Affect Privacy?
America is grappling with a compelling question during the coronavirus pandemic: should we allow Big Tech and the government to use our smartphones to track our movements, body temperature, and activities to slow the infection rate? As explained by the wonderful...
Navigating Mortgage Relief Options Under The CARES Act
Homeowners challenged to stay current with their mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 crisis are finding relief in several federal emergency measures provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act. Two provisions include a 60-day...
Remote Notarization Has Arrived in Rhode Island (Temporarily)
On Friday, April 3, 2020, Rhode Island Secretary of State issued revised Standards of Conduct for Notary Publics in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, adding Section 8, which authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) of legal documents during the...
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...
