Author Info for Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC

Matthew Borick

Vermont Legislature Proposes New Consumer Privacy Legislation

Since 2020, in the wake of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) established in the EU, there has been a growing wave of U.S. states enacting omnibus laws governing the privacy of personal information (i.e., information…more

Legislative Agendas, Legislative Committees, Regulatory Agenda, State and Local Government, State Budgets

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Andre Bouffard

Lenders Must Follow Their Own Security Agreements Covering Non-Borrower Collateral or Lose the Collateral

The Vermont Supreme Court has traditionally had very little sympathy for banks and financial institutions who do not follow their own lending agreements to the letter, and then ask for court relief when they end up in litigation…more

Borrowers, Commercial Loans, Financial Institutions, Lending, VT Supreme Court

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Amy Braun

US DOL Issues Guidance on FFCRA, FLSA, and FMLA as Businesses Reopen

On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor published additional guidance on how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) may…more

Compensation, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Department of Labor (DOL), Exempt-Employees, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

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Andrew Brewer

DRM Legislative Preview | Week 19

Closing out Week 18 of the 2023 Legislative Session - The end is nigh. Is the end nigh? That pretty much sums up the talk around the State House’s proverbial water cooler..…more

General Assembly, Legislative Agendas, Legislative Committees, State and Local Government, State Legislatures

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Sarah Butson

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Jeremy Carter

Expanding the “Accredited Investor” Definition

SEC expands definition of "accredited investor", granting startups and growing companies easier access to capital - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) adopted a new rule on August 26,…more

Accredited Investors, Capital Raising, Emerging Growth Companies, Final Rules, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

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William T. Clark

COVID-19 is No Excuse for Missing Court Deadlines

COVID-19 has slowed down many pending court cases, with trial dates being pushed out indefinitely as the pandemic worsens. Despite these slowdowns, the Vermont Supreme Court recently made clear that court deadlines remain in…more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Dismissals, Failure To Respond, Filing Deadlines, Governor Scott

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Alexandra Clauss, AWI-CH

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Tristram Coffin

Volkswagen Class Action Update

Proposed settlement filed in Volkswagen class action - The class plaintiffs, the government and VW filed a proposed settlement agreement in court yesterday. I wanted to provide you with a copy of the proposed settlement…more

Automotive Industry, Buyback Programs, Carbon Emissions, Class Action, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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Timothy Copeland, Jr.

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Kathleen Davis

Captive Insurance Update | Spring Edition | 2024

On March 27, 2024 the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) held its biannual “Roadshow” educational event designed for prospective captive insurance companies. The Roadshow, which has been hosted in over 20 cities, was…more

Captive Insurance Company, Confidential Information, Contract Terms, Fees, Insurance Industry

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William Dodge

Infrastructure Act: Key Investments in Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Rural Broadband Funded by Limited Tax Provisions

Monday, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "Infrastructure Act") into law. The bill, H.R. 3684, originally introduced into the House on June 4, was sent to the President's desk…more

Biden Administration, Broadband, Charging Stations, Clean Energy, Climate Change

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Timothy Doherty Jr.

AFP: $80 Billion to Audit Businesses and Wealthy in Biden Plan

On April 28, 2021, President Biden presented the “American Families Plan” (AFP), an ambitious spending program focused on providing family leave, child care and nutrition, health care, preschool and college education to millions…more

Audits, Biden Administration, Corporate Taxes, High Net-Worth, Income Taxes

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Jennifer Drake

Vermont: Overview of the Data Broker Act

The Act Relating to Data Brokers and Consumer Protection (No. 171, 2018) (‘the Data Broker Act’), located at §§2430-31, 2447, and 2466 of Title 9 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, went into full effect on 1 January 2019. The…more

Consumer Privacy Rights, Cybersecurity, Data Brokers, Data Collection, Data Privacy

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Ryan Flatley

What Connelly v. United States Means for Closely-Held Businesses

The US Supreme Court recently issued a significant decision, impacting many closely-held businesses with buy-sell agreements funded by life insurance policies, Connelly v. United States, 144 S. Ct. 1406 (2024). In a 9-0…more

Appeals, Buy-Sell Agreements, Certiorari, Connelly v United States, Estate Planning

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Emily Garrett

Vermont Overhauls its Renewable Energy Standard with the Passage of H.289

On Monday, June 17, the Vermont legislature passed H.289 to significantly reform the Renewable Energy Standard (“RES”) (30 V.S.A. §§ 8001-8016), overriding Governor Phil Scott’s veto of the bill by a vote of 21-8 in the Senate,…more

New Legislation, Public Utility, Renewable Energy, Tax Credits, Vermont

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F. David Harlow

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Marc Heath

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legal Resources for Business (UPDATED)

April 3, 2020: SBA Issued Interim Final Rule On Thursday, April 2 To Facilitate The Implementation Of The Paycheck Protection Program…more

CARES Act, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Federal Loans

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Morgan Heller II

Effective Ways to Protect Your Intellectual Property

Much like invention patents (called “utility patents” in the U.S.), utility models provide exclusive rights that can be enforced to prevent competitors from copying your company’s innovations…more

Intellectual Property Protection, Inventions, IP Portfolio, Patents, Utility Model

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R. Prescott Jaunich

IRS Reaffirms Non-Deductibility of Forgiven PPP Loan Expenses and Affords New Tax Filing Safe Harbor Rules

In May, the IRS issued Notice 2020-32, providing that a taxpayer that receives a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) is not permitted to deduct expenses that are normally deductible under the Code to the extent…more

CARES Act, IRS, Loan Forgiveness, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Revenue Procedures

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Walter Judge

Premises Liability: Vermont Supreme Court Affirms That Landowner Is Not Responsible for Death of Lessee’s Guest

The Vermont Supreme Court just issued a new premises liability decision, clearing a non-possessory property owner from a wrongful death claim made by an invitee of the commercial tenant. Here’s the decision and a very brief…more

Bodily Injury, Commercial Tenants, Landlords, Negligence, Premises Liability

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Elizabeth Kohler

VT Supreme Court Upholds PSB Approval of Bennington Tower

On November 19, 2015, the Vermont Supreme Court decided in favor of VTel Wireless, Inc. and upheld the Public Service Board’s approval of a telecommunications tower in Bennington, Vermont. This decision marks only the second…more

Aesthetic Functionality, Cell Towers, Telecommunications, VT Supreme Court, Wireless Industry

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Tom Kohler

When should you contact a patent attorney?

Short answer: As soon as you decide you are serious about trying to protect a new idea. Seriously. If you really don’t know much or anything about patents and patenting inventions, there are a few very basic things that would…more

Intellectual Property Protection, Patent Infringement, Patents, Risk Management

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Patricia Komline

DRM Legislative Preview | Week 19

Closing out Week 18 of the 2023 Legislative Session - The end is nigh. Is the end nigh? That pretty much sums up the talk around the State House’s proverbial water cooler..…more

General Assembly, Legislative Agendas, Legislative Committees, State and Local Government, State Legislatures

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Peter Kunin

So You Think You Can Use Your Trademark Outside the US?

Trademarks are among the most valuable assets owned by companies that focus on individual consumers — from breweries to start-up app developers. Trademarks protect brands and can be found in the form of words (COCA COLA),…more

Brand, Canada, China, Corporate Branding, Intellectual Property Protection

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Joshua Leckey

Vermont Overhauls its Renewable Energy Standard with the Passage of H.289

On Monday, June 17, the Vermont legislature passed H.289 to significantly reform the Renewable Energy Standard (“RES”) (30 V.S.A. §§ 8001-8016), overriding Governor Phil Scott’s veto of the bill by a vote of 21-8 in the Senate,…more

New Legislation, Public Utility, Renewable Energy, Tax Credits, Vermont

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Shannon Lenzini

Corporate Transparency Act - New Federal Reporting Requirement For Entities

Background - In January 2021, the United States Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. This law, while intended to prevent criminal actors from hiding and…more

Anti-Money Laundering, Beneficial Owner, Corporate Transparency Act, Employer Identification Number (EIN), Exemptions

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Rebecca Lewandoski

DRM Legislative Preview | Week 19

Closing out Week 18 of the 2023 Legislative Session - The end is nigh. Is the end nigh? That pretty much sums up the talk around the State House’s proverbial water cooler..…more

General Assembly, Legislative Agendas, Legislative Committees, State and Local Government, State Legislatures

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Robert Luce

CMS – the Federal Agency that Administers Medicare and Medicaid – Recognizes Traumatic Brain Injury as a “Chronic Health Condition”

For more than a decade this blog has covered the growing recognition by policy makers and in the peer reviewed literature that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) of all kinds should not be treated as a static event from which…more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Traumatic Brain Injuries

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Johan Maitland

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Gabrielle Malina

DRM Legislative Preview | Week 19

Closing out Week 18 of the 2023 Legislative Session - The end is nigh. Is the end nigh? That pretty much sums up the talk around the State House’s proverbial water cooler..…more

General Assembly, Legislative Agendas, Legislative Committees, State and Local Government, State Legislatures

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Nancy Malmquist

Infrastructure Act: Key Investments in Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Rural Broadband Funded by Limited Tax Provisions

Monday, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "Infrastructure Act") into law. The bill, H.R. 3684, originally introduced into the House on June 4, was sent to the President's desk…more

Biden Administration, Broadband, Charging Stations, Clean Energy, Climate Change

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John Marshall

News from the Vermont State House - An Analysis from DRM’s Government & Public Affairs Team - January 2017 #2

Treasurer Will Build Public Pension Plan for Small Business - State Treasurer Beth Pearce on Wednesday asked the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee to create the framework for a retirement…more

Apprenticeships, Baby Boomers, Caregivers, Chemicals, Contamination

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Jennifer McDonald

Jury Trials During the Pandemic: Unvaccinated Jurors May Be Excluded For Cause

Courts across the country are temporarily suspending jury trials amid the Omicron variant wave. Prior to that surge, many jurisdictions had resumed criminal and civil jury trials with health and safety protocols. …more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Court Closures, Court Schedules, Jury Duty, Jury Trial

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Kevin McGrath

Means Plus Function – Williamson Removed The “Heavy” Presumption But Dyfan And VDPP Pack Some of the Pounds Back On

When a claim term is construed as a means plus function limitation, the recited “means” is limited to only the specific structures disclosed in the specification for performing the recited function, and a limited range of…more

Claim Limitations, Expert Testimony, Intellectual Property Protection, Means-Plus-Function, Patent Applications

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Conor McKenzie

What Connelly v. United States Means for Closely-Held Businesses

The US Supreme Court recently issued a significant decision, impacting many closely-held businesses with buy-sell agreements funded by life insurance policies, Connelly v. United States, 144 S. Ct. 1406 (2024). In a 9-0…more

Appeals, Buy-Sell Agreements, Certiorari, Connelly v United States, Estate Planning

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William J. Morris III

Trademark Scams On The Rise

Those were the first words I heard when my client called me the other day. Moments later, I joined a call with my client and a very convincing “representative” of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) seeking money…more

Scams, Trademarks, USPTO

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Bruce Palmer

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legal Resources for Business (UPDATED)

April 3, 2020: SBA Issued Interim Final Rule On Thursday, April 2 To Facilitate The Implementation Of The Paycheck Protection Program…more

CARES Act, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Federal Loans

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Mary Parent

Corporate Transparency Act - New Federal Reporting Requirement For Entities

Background - In January 2021, the United States Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. This law, while intended to prevent criminal actors from hiding and…more

Anti-Money Laundering, Beneficial Owner, Corporate Transparency Act, Employer Identification Number (EIN), Exemptions

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Alexis L. Peters

How do you Create a Condominium or Planned Community in Vermont?

In our previous article, we discussed the distinction between common interest communities, condominiums, and planned communities. As we explained, condominiums and planned communities are types of common interest communities,…more

Community Associations, Condominium Associations, Condominiums, Homeowners Association (HOA), Planned Communities

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Wm. Roger Prescott

Infrastructure Act: Key Investments in Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Rural Broadband Funded by Limited Tax Provisions

Monday, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "Infrastructure Act") into law. The bill, H.R. 3684, originally introduced into the House on June 4, was sent to the President's desk…more

Biden Administration, Broadband, Charging Stations, Clean Energy, Climate Change

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Elizabeth Rattigan

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Jon Readnour

How do you Create a Condominium or Planned Community in Vermont?

In our previous article, we discussed the distinction between common interest communities, condominiums, and planned communities. As we explained, condominiums and planned communities are types of common interest communities,…more

Community Associations, Condominium Associations, Condominiums, Homeowners Association (HOA), Planned Communities

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Amy Resnick

New OSHA Guidance on Protecting Worker Health

President Biden recently signed the Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, which can be found here. This Executive Order emphasizes the Biden administration’s commitment to ensuring safe workplaces for employees…more

Biden Administration, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Executive Orders, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Health and Safety

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Christopher Roy

Governor Scott and Tripartisan Group of Legislators Submit Ambitious Housing Bill

On January 10, Governor Scott and a tripartisan group of legislators presented H. 719, dubbed the BeHOME Act. This bill may constitute the most ambitious reform effort to date to address Vermont’s inadequate housing supply…more

Affordable Housing, Appropriation, General Assembly, Infrastructure, Jurisdiction

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Brendan Sage

Remote Work Accommodations in the Post-COVID Era

As more businesses return to the office in 2022, and the workplace slowly settles into a post-pandemic equilibrium, many employers are grappling with how remote work should fit into their workplaces in the post-COVID era. While…more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Policies, Reasonable Accommodation, Religious Accommodation

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Timothy Sampson

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legal Resources for Business (Updated)

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - October 20, 2020: Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott announced a new round of economic recovery grants for Vermont businesses, to be administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development…more

Business Closures, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Financial Distress, Governor Scott, Relief Measures

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Alison Sherman

The SECURE Act Changes How Beneficiaries Inherit Retirement Accounts

On December 20, 2019 the “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020” became law. As part of the Act and in part to pay for the over 1.7 trillion in spending that the Act contemplates, Section “O” sets forth the Setting Every…more

Beneficiaries, Beneficiary Designations, Distribution Rules, Employee Benefits, Retirement Plan

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Heather Southwell

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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Cathleen Stadecker

Are Patent and Trademark Deadlines Extended Due To COVID-19? (Updated)

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, patent offices worldwide are taking steps to minimize negative impacts that patent and trademark filers may suffer…more

Australian Patent Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Coronavirus/COVID-19, Court Schedules, European Patent Office

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Benjamin Traverse

Top 10 Reasons Why Remote Work Can Be Complicated

While there are many benefits to working from home, there are also a number of important things to remember when you have remote employees or if you are trying to implement a hybrid work solution. We thought this list would be…more

Child Care, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Policies, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Human Resources Professionals

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April Tuck

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

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J. Zaw Win

Captive Insurance Update | Spring Edition | 2024

On March 27, 2024 the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) held its biannual “Roadshow” educational event designed for prospective captive insurance companies. The Roadshow, which has been hosted in over 20 cities, was…more

Captive Insurance Company, Confidential Information, Contract Terms, Fees, Insurance Industry

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Matthew Woodbury

Infrastructure Act: Key Investments in Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Rural Broadband Funded by Limited Tax Provisions

Monday, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "Infrastructure Act") into law. The bill, H.R. 3684, originally introduced into the House on June 4, was sent to the President's desk…more

Biden Administration, Broadband, Charging Stations, Clean Energy, Climate Change

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Andrea Ortiz Wright

New Employee Work Rules, Election Requirements Could Mean Big Changes for Employers

Two recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could spell big changes for employers in two different, but overlapping, areas: Employee Handbooks and Union elections. These decisions were the topic of…more

Employee Handbooks, Employee Rights, Employment Policies, NLRA, NLRB

See all updates »

Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC

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