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KEYS TO THE KINGDOM: BALANCING MERIT VS. INHERIT MODELS IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS
A recent article published by Harvard Business Review outlines the importance of distinguishing between merit compensation and inheritance.1 In most family businesses, the second generation inherit positions and compensation, which is usually a formula for disaster. In many cases, they are not qualified for the positions that they are given in...
THE RISE OF THE ROBOTS: ATTORNEY LAMOUREUX TACKLES CHATGPT ON WPRO’S MATT ALLEN SHOW
Since its recent grand entrance to the world stage, ChatGPT has been infiltrating and proliferating past the tech realm and into the business world. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance, more companies are turning to these technologies to replace human workers in certain roles. For example, Boston Dynamics’ “robodogs” are now...
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...
CREATING LEGAL DOCUMENTS: ARE YOU USING THE “RIGHT TOOL” FOR THE JOB?
When it comes to crafting your legal documents, such as Wills, LLC formations, etc., there are endless options. Should you utilize an online tool, such as Legal Zoom, or seek a legal professional to produce your legal documents? In this article, PLDO Trust & Estate Partner David Craven explains the differences and important considerations:...
MEDICAID PLANNING AND THE CAREGIVER CHILD EXCEPTION
In this day and age, there is no denying that prices for most things are skyrocketing and skilled care for an aging parent is no exception. If an aging parent’s health has declined significantly enough, the parent could face the prospect of admission to a nursing home despite their children’s best efforts to keep them living in their home....
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....
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...
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...
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...
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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