By Alicia Samolis, Sean Fontes, Morgan Hedly, & Michael Gamboli On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction vacating the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new rule (the “Rule”) raising the minimum salary thresholds for the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) major exemptions to overtime and minimum wage laws. ...
Challenges to Race-based Initiatives Continue: Fearless Fund Settles Yearlong Suit with the American Alliance for Equal Rights, Ending the Strivers Grant Contest for Women of Color Business Owners By Elizabeth O. Manchester and Kelley J. O’Donnell Fearless Fund is a venture capital fund supporting minority business owners, particularly women of color.[1] [Fearless Foundation is a...
By Lawrence J. Sheh, Elizabeth O. Manchester, Brian J. Reilly, and Madeline M. Ursini In Connelly vs. United States (602 U.S. 257, June 6, 2024), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that in a redemption of a deceased shareholder’s shares of stock, the corporation’s fair market value should include the proceeds received by the corporation from...
Alicia J. Samolis, Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice, shared insightful legal perspectives in a recent Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly feature regarding the controversial First Circuit Opinion Caruso v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., No. 22-1775. In the case, the First Circuit granted a summary judgment motion in favor of an employer on a...
By Alicia J. Samolis, Michael A. Gamboli, Sean M. Fontes, & Morgan E. Hedly As we predicted in our May 1, 2024 Client Alert, the Federal Trade Commission’s Noncompete Rule (the “Rule”) has been struck down on a nationwide basis. On August 20, 2024, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown of the Northern District of Texas set aside the FTC...
By Alicia J. Samolis, Michael A. Gamboli, Sean M. Fontes, & Morgan E. Hedly Massachusetts will be joining the growing number of states requiring pay ranges be included in advertisements and provided in certain other circumstances. Specifically, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law H.4890, the “Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act” (the “Act”) containing both pay...
By Robert K. Taylor In June 2023, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted legislation granting the public expanded “privileges of the shore,” including but not limited to the right to fish from the shore, to swim in the sea and to pass along the shore. Until 2023, the area where those public privileges could be...
By Christopher M. Wildenhain and James P. McGlone The Supreme Court has now concluded its most recent term, and in its final two days handed down two decisions with major implications in the area of administrative law (each by a 6-3 margin). And while their precise consequences remain to be seen, both decisions—previewed by PSH...
By Morgan E. Hedly and Michael A. Gamboli It is that time of year again, when the Rhode Island legislature ends its session and passes a number of laws that affect businesses with Rhode Island-based employees. While 2024 was no different, this year was also notable for the legislation that failed in the 2024 session...
By Alicia Samolis, Sean Fontes, Morgan Hedly, and Michael Gamboli On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule (the “Rule”) which bans businesses from using most noncompete agreements against workers. Surprisingly, the Rule does not contain many exceptions, such as exceptions for noncompetes that are not conditional on continued employment but rather...
