The attorneys at Morningstar Law Group are leaders who are frequently asked to share their legal insights and expertise. Here is a sampling of the wisdom our attorneys are sharing at industry conferences, in published articles, and at continuing legal education events.

Insight

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Thirteen Action Items to Protect Your Workforce

March 13, 2020

It’s Friday the 13th.  Sure feels like it.  And, COVID-19 is playing the role of “Jason.”  Just this week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, the stock market plummeted, the NBA, MLB, and NHL suspended their seasons, colleges told students not to return to campus after spring break, high school sports programs were […]

Insight

Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Force Majeure?

March 13, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak, now deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is disrupting supply chains globally, leaving many companies unable to perform contracts or supply products to their customers, but is COVID-19 a force majeure that will shield affected companies from liability for non-performance?  Under US law, the answer depends primarily on the terms […]

Insight

Wing Wednesday, Yes, But No Taco Tuesday

March 12, 2020

Last year, shortly after news broke of Tom Brady’s unsuccessful attempt to register the trademark “Tom Terrific” (see my article about that here), there were reports of a few other intriguing, high-profile sports-related trademark matters that seemed deserving of some additional commentary.   Possibly not coincidentally, given Brady’s historic distaste for the State of Ohio […]

Insight

Mercedes Case Reveals Integrated-Work Copyright Stopgap

December 15, 2019

As Appeared in Law360, October 26, 2019 Stripped, the Mercedes-Benz USA LLC G500 runs $124,000 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) and comes in 24 colors. In the lead-up to the January 2018 North American International Auto Show, Mercedes planned an ironic, down-scale Instagram Inc.  campaign featuring photos of its Jeep-like G500s barreling through Detroit’s boho Eastern […]

Insight

Not So Terrific Understanding of Trademark Law There, Tom …

October 21, 2019

This recent article about Tom Brady and his unsuccessful efforts to register the trademark “Tom Terrific” came to my attention the other day: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27445881/not-terrific-tom-brady-trademark-refused. As an IP lawyer, I felt compelled to set the record straight and clear up any misconceptions Brady may have conveyed about trademark law to the general, non-(IP) lawyer public. First […]

Insight

New Jersey is Latest US State to Ban Salary History Inquiries in Recruiting

August 15, 2019

New Jersey is the 17th U.S. State to enact restrictions on employers’ inquiry into and use of salary histories in recruiting and employment decisions.  NJ’s new Salary History law goes into effect on Jan 1, 2020. The law makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to: screen a job applicant based on the applicant’s […]

Insight

Workforce Alert: Just over 60 Days Left to Comply with NY’s New Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Avoidance Training Law

August 1, 2019

The State of New York implemented new employee training regulations effective October 9, 2018, with compliant training for existing employees to be first completed by October 9, 2019.  The law requires sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance training for all employees who spend any time working in the State of New York, regardless of the size […]

Insight

Workforce Alert: New Statute Grants Virginia Employees Access to Certain Employment Records

July 2, 2019

As of July 1, 2019,  Virginia Code §8.01-413.1 becomes effective, requiring employers to provide both employees and former employees (or their attorney) copies of all records or papers retained by the employer in any format reflecting: (i) the employee’s dates of employment with the employer; (ii) the employee’s wages or salary during the employment; (iii) the employee’s […]

Insight

2019 CLE: Issue-Spotting on Background Checks

May 10, 2019

At Morningstar Law Group’s annual CLE program, Amie Carmack andEric R. Hunt addressed current issues related to contracting with third parties to perform background and other checks on prospective employees and contractors. Click here to review their presentation.

Insight

2019 CLE: Real Estate and Land Use Update

May 10, 2019

At Morningstar Law Group’s annual CLE program, Amanda Mann, Partner with Morningstar Law Group, provided an update on current issues related to real estate and land use. Click here to review her presentation.