By Russell J. Stein At the start of every year my social media algorithms are often inundated with ads for “tax strategists” and ways to decrease your taxes. New this year (at least to me) are posts providing “advice” on how to minimize income tax withholding from wages. Employers (and employees) should be forewarned that...
By Lawrence J. Sheh, Alicia J. Samolis, Michael A. Gamboli, and Madeline M. Ursini On October 22, 2025, in Nunez v. Syncsort Incorporated, et al., the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the decision of the Massachusetts appellate court holding retention and change-of-control bonuses are not considered wages under the Massachusetts Wage Act. The decision provides important...
By Alicia J. Samolis, Michael A. Gamboli, Sean M. Fontes, & Morgan E. Hedly The pay range disclosure requirements in the Massachusetts pay transparency law will finally take effect on October 29, 2025. Employers with 25 or more employees whose primary place of work is in Massachusetts (i.e., the employees spend most of their time working...
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced the 2025 launch of the Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program: Brownfield Remediation Solar Incentive, a new funding opportunity designed to accelerate responsible solar development on underutilized, previously impacted land. Authorized under R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.6-22 and approved by the Public Utilities Commission in 2025, the...
PROVIDENCE, RI, September 25, 2025 – Partridge Snow & Hahn (PSH), a full-service business law and litigation firm, announces the third and final session of the Philanthropy on Tap series, an educational and networking program designed to highlight how strategic giving can create meaningful impact for both businesses and the community. Registration is available here....
By Brian J. Reilly, Suzanne M. Elovecky, and Madeline M. Ursini Effective September 2, 2025, Massachusetts will begin enforcing 940 CMR 38.00, a new regulation aimed at promoting price transparency for consumers. These comprehensive rules apply to the sale or lease of goods and services for personal, family, or household use and designate undisclosed or improperly...
By Elizabeth O. Manchester and Kelley J. O’Donnell In two closely watched rulings, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has temporarily blocked enforcement of federal grant restrictions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and services for transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals. These decisions mark a significant judicial rebuke of the Trump...
By Elizabeth Manchester and Kelley O’Donnell On July 29, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a sweeping memorandum titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” which identifies unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives — particularly those involving scholarships — and sets forth suggestive best practices for entities to comply with...
By Jay Peabody, Allison Fleet, Brian Reilly, and Madeline Ursini On June 17, 2025, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved the state’s $13.9 billion budget for FY 2026, which includes a substantial 63% increase in the real estate transfer (conveyance) tax. Effective July 1, 2026, the transfer tax rate payable by sellers in Rhode Island will rise from...
By Jay Peabody, Allison Fleet, Brian Reilly, and Madeline Ursini Effective October 15, 2025, Massachusetts has adopted new home inspection regulations under 760 CMR 74.00 that prohibit sellers from accepting residential real estate offers containing preemptive inspection waivers, or conditioning a seller’s acceptance of an offer on the waiver, limitation, or other restriction of the...
