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Attorney Blog

THE SAME-PROTECTED-CLASS INFERENCE: COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE

THE SAME-PROTECTED-CLASS INFERENCE: COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is an integral part of today’s work environment. Many clients have inquired into whether an employee in a particular protected class could discriminate against another employee in that same protected class. The answer to that question—which may come as a surprise to some—is yes. Put simply, there is no “same...

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DOES AN AGENT UNDER A POWER OF ATTORNEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE A TRUST IN MASSACHUSETTS?

DOES AN AGENT UNDER A POWER OF ATTORNEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE A TRUST IN MASSACHUSETTS?

A Power of Attorney (“POA”) is an important estate planning tool and legally binding document that gives another person, chosen by you, the power to act as an agent on your behalf. Within the last year, the Massachusetts Supreme Court issued a decision effecting the authority given under a power of attorney in Massachusetts. In Barbetti v....

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HOW CHANGES TO RHODE ISLAND’S DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES LAW MAY IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS

HOW CHANGES TO RHODE ISLAND’S DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES LAW MAY IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS

In August of 2021, Governor McKee signed into law a significant change to Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices law. Prior to August 2021, the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices law was held to be inapplicable to “all those activities and businesses which are subject to monitoring by state or regulatory bodies.” State v. Piedmnont, 382 A.2d...

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GOVERNOR MCKEE MAKES LONG-AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT OF  RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION NOMINATIONS

GOVERNOR MCKEE MAKES LONG-AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT OF RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION NOMINATIONS

After much anticipation, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee made a move critical to advancing the state’s cannabis legalization efforts by naming his appointments to the new Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”). The announcement of Kimberly Ahern, the Governor’s current Deputy Chief of Staff, as Chairperson, along with Robert Jacquard and Layi...

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FIRST CIRCUIT EXPLAINS FLSA OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES

FIRST CIRCUIT EXPLAINS FLSA OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES

It is well settled that the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) requires employers to pay certain employees overtime pay at one and one-half times the employees’ regular rate. 29 U.S.C.S. §207(a). However, certain employees are exempt from this overtime requirement, specifically employees in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional...

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EXECUTING A CAREFULLY DRAFTED CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT IN AN M&A TRANSACTION

EXECUTING A CAREFULLY DRAFTED CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT IN AN M&A TRANSACTION

The execution of a confidentiality agreement - or what is also referred to as non-disclosure agreement (NDA) - is typically the first official stage of any merger or acquisition. Prior to this stage, a general discussion may have already occurred, and relevant information shared, by and among the parties involved in the transaction. The initial...

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT IN LICENSING, PERMITTING AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT IN LICENSING, PERMITTING AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

A condition precedent is a condition in a contract that must occur before another party is required to perform. In purchase and sale agreements, there are often several conditions precedent that must be satisfied before a party is required to close. Particularly, in the sale of a business, these are often much more important for the buyer rather...

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REMOTE WORKERS IN RHODE ISLAND: STATE REGS MAY CREATE PERSONAL JURISDICTION IN RHODE ISLAND COURTS

REMOTE WORKERS IN RHODE ISLAND: STATE REGS MAY CREATE PERSONAL JURISDICTION IN RHODE ISLAND COURTS

The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island recently held that it had personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state employer, despite the fact that the employer only had one remote employee who worked in Rhode Island. That employee—who was also the plaintiff—was terminated from his employment and subsequently filed suit,...

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