It may seem surprisingly easy to start a business in Virginia but it’s important to do so in a way that protects you. So, if you ask, “do I need a lawyer to start a business in Virginia?” Technically, no. But is it a smart move that will save you trouble later? Absolutely. Benefits of… Continue reading Do I Need a Lawyer to Start a Business in Virginia?
Sometimes, employers misclassify employees as independent contractors. While this could be an honest mistake, often it is done intentionally to avoid paying taxes and providing employment benefits. However, there have been recent updates to employee misclassification and overtime laws in Virginia that help employees. Employee Misclassification Typically, employees have more rights than independent contractors.… Continue reading Understanding Employee Misclassification and Overtime Laws in Virginia
Many companies have adopted records retention policies to set forth a routine document destruction process with specified dates upon which a document can be safely destroyed. Corporate Document Destruction Policy Having a document destruction policy can protect against accusations of attempting to purge files of incriminating documents, and can allow a company to maintain regular… Continue reading Guide to Creating a Business Record Retention Policy in Virginia
I just received a notice from Amazon that the terms of use on my account had changed. The mandatory arbitration clause has been removed in favor of a provision that disputes will now be resolved in the courts with litigation. Learn more from an arbitration lawyer near me. So What if it’s Arbitration v.… Continue reading Opinion on Arbitration v. Courts From a Local Arbitration Lawyer
I recently tried the first civil jury trial in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a jury verdict in favor of our client was the most satisfying part of the experience, the most surprising part was that I was able to successfully raise… Continue reading On Batson and Being a Black Lawyer
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) posted updated and expanded technical assistance addressing frequently asked questions concerning vaccinations in the employment context. The Guidance clarifies the right of employers to require Covid-19 vaccination in most cases. Essentially, the Guidance says requiring vaccination does not break any laws, so employers have… Continue reading Ok, Mandatory Vaccination May Be Legal. But is it a Good Idea?
A new Virginia law, the Whistleblower Protection Act, protects Virginia employees from retaliation if they communicate their concerns about compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols to their employer. We previously covered an overview of this new law when it went into effect here. The Coronavirus is ravaging our society. Right now, many workers are safe because… Continue reading New Virginia Law Protects Those Who Request COVID-19 Protection
An Overview on New Virginia Laws That Impacts Employers
Americans have been dealing with the impact of the COVID19 pandemic for over a year now. Home offices, remote workspaces and virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex and Google Meet are now a part of everyday life. We have seen famous people caught up in Zoom mishaps of a sexual nature (we’re looking at… Continue reading Do Not Let Your Zoom Behavior #Cancel Your Job
If you were sitting at your desk today and said to yourself, “I think I’ll send a picture of a naked, erect penis to a female reporter,” you may want to think again. Jared Porter is wishing he had “thought again” today after the New York Mets fired their general manager for doing just that… Continue reading New York Mets Fire General Manager for Lewd Pictures He Sent Reporter. Why Should You Care?
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