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What is GDPR, You Ask?
Introducing the little-known (but hugely important) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We know, we know. You’ve never heard of it. And, if you did hear of it, you don’t think it applies to your company, to your college, or to your work as a consultant. Well, sorry to say, you’re probably wrong. GDPR likely applies to any business with a...
New Law Alert: Use Hands Free Device While Driving in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s new “hands-free” driving law goes into effect on June 1, 2018. This law prohibits you from holding your phone up to your ear while driving. The law permits the use of “hands-free” devices, such as the phone’s built-in speakerphone, a Bluetooth earpiece or similar hands-free features. Violators face a $100 fine, but there is a...
Overcoming Obstacles to Success
If you are like me, you are always seeking tips on how to overcome challenges. When accelerating progress in your business and professional life, though, you want to avoid reinventing the wheel. We all know that entrepreneurs have vision; however, what sets them apart is their ability to overcome disappointment and obstacles, so that they can...
Achieving Zero Tolerance of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Employers deal with complicated and difficult HR issues regularly. Although the allegations regarding Harvey Weinstein and the advent of the #MeToo movement have raised attention about the issue of sexual harassment, reporting is limited in providing practical guidance for employers seeking information to help their organizations. In this video,...
BIG DATA – Approach with Mindful Caution
The digital footprint we leave behind when we post, purchase or shop online are like the bread crumbs of our daily lives and behaviors. This trail creates a profile of who we are, what we do, what we like or dislike and so much more. In this video, PLDO Partner Brian J. Lamoureux, who is nationally recognized as a thought leader and commentator...
Insuring Accounts Receivable: A Quick Primer
What do you do when your largest customer goes bankrupt? Panic? Probably. But, once the immediate panic subsides, some smart business owners call their insurance company and put in a claim under their "accounts receivable insurance" policy. Accounts receivable and other similar trade debt make up a significant portion of any small business's...
Not The Sweet Kind Of “Cookies”: The New Tax On Vendors Making Internet Sales
Sure, it’s the holiday season, but these cookies aren’t the heart-shaped kind that you give your Valentine. These “cookies” are packets of data that businesses rely on to operate their websites. Cookies allow businesses to identify and track users, then customize those users’ web experiences. For the non tech-savvy among us,the concept is best...
Weddings are (Still) not an “Agricultural Operation”
The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently had the opportunity to review a 2014 amendment to the Right to Farm Act (the "RFA") in The Gerald P. Zarrella Trust et al. v. Town of Exeter et al., SU #2016-301-A. In that matter, the plaintiff sought a declaration that RFA, as amended, permitted them to host commercial events, including weddings for a...
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 that it violated the False Claims Act by paying illegal kickbacks to generate...
A “NATURAL DISASTER” – THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON CONTRACTS
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, we wrote about the legal concept of “force majeure” clauses found in some business contracts. A force majeure clause excuses a party from performing its obligations under a contract based upon some unforeseen and serious event such as a war, riot, insurrection, natural disaster, or other act of God. At that time,...
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