PLDO Law Blog
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. To accelerate...
General Assembly Eliminates “Open and Obvious” As Complete Defense To Personal Injury Claims
In legislation approved by the Governor on July 15, 2019, the General Assembly amended section 9-20-4 of the General Laws (the Comparative Negligence statute) such that the open and obvious defense to personal injury claims can no longer act as a complete bar to...
The Increasing Sweep of Opioid Litigation
States are now one step closer to holding the Sackler family individually liable for the role they and their pharmaceutical corporation, Purdue Pharma, played in creating and facilitating the nation’s opioid epidemic. In a decision issued on October 8, 2019,...
Changes In The Wind for Retirement Benefits – Possible
Last spring the United States House of Representatives by an over whelming majority passed the most significant changes to the IRA/401(k) laws since their original passage in the mid 1970’s. If signed into law these changes will: allow part-time workers who work less...
New Massachusetts Law Limiting Employee Non-Compete Agreements
After numerous failed attempts, the Massachusetts legislature has finally passed a new law limiting noncompete agreements between a company and its employees and independent contractors. The legislation was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Banker on...
Public Hearing Set for Tomorrow on Proposed Hemp Regulations by RI Department of Business Regulations
The RI Department of Business Regulations (DBR) will hold a public hearing tomorrow (August 16, 2016) at 10 a.m. on its proposed regulations for the state’s Industrial Hemp Agricultural Pilot Program (Hemp Regulations). The hearing will be held at the Department of...
Landmark Decision – Police Must Have a Warrant for Cell Phone Location Data
Is your cell phone nearby? Are you reading this article on it right now? It’s probably no surprise to you that Americans are with their cell phones constantly. And, you may already know that your cell phone is constantly scanning for the best signal. What you may not...
No More Agency Fees for Public Employees
For over forty years, public-sector unions could impose what were known as “agency fees” on non-members. The logic was that a union serving as the exclusive representative of a unit of employees is required to represent the interests of all employees, union member or...
Lessons from Cyber Breaches
Ten years ago, the mention of a cyber security breach was a rarity. Today, reports of breach incidents are almost commonplace. Every time a breach occurs in business the potential to cause significant harm and financial loss is mind-numbing. In addition, when the...