Industry Info

What You Need to Know About the New General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”)

You have probably received a lot of notifications in the past few days, alerting you that all your favorite vendors have updated their Privacy Policy. Here’s what they’re talking about. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation With so much...
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New York Councilman Proposes a Right to Disconnect

It’s all too common: You get home from work and receive an urgent email from your boss, you’re vacationing on the beach when you get a text from the office, you’re enjoying the weekend with your family when you get...
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Top 5 Things Every Employer Should Know About Age Discrimination

As the bulk of the American workforce ages, it is increasingly important for employers to understand the protections afforded to older employees. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) is a federal law that protects employees over 40 from employment...
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Under Proposed DOL Rule, Employees May Have to Give Up Their Tips

Thanks to a new regulation that’s in the works, the tip you leave for your waiter may soon be shared with dishwashers and busboys, or even used to spiff up the restaurant’s decor. On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Department...
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To Protect Victims of Sexual Harassment, Lawmakers Take Aim at Employment Contracts

In the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein investigation and the #MeToo campaign, some lawmakers at the federal and state level are proposing legislation which they believe would protect and support the victims of sexual harassment. Their efforts have highlighted two...
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Even the Most Well-Qualified Companies Should Consider Foreign Qualification

Legally speaking, doing business is not the same as being qualified to do business. A state can require companies incorporated in another state to “qualify,” or meet certain requirements, before those companies are granted full legal privileges within the state....
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Getting Hip to HIPPA: Does HIPAA Apply to Your Company?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which is a federal law that protects the health information of individual citizens. HIPAA imposes a laundry list of requirements on companies, and failure to comply with those...
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Trump Proposes New Tax Rate for Pass-Through Business Entities

Businesses are required to pay a laundry list of taxes throughout the year, including: federal income tax; state income tax; alternative minimum tax (AMT); business, professional, and occupational license taxes; tangible personal property taxes; payroll taxes; and sales tax.  Last...
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TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods: Patent Forum Shopping Case Currently Before SCOTUS

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods, a case focused on the federal venue statute that affects the forum in which a plaintiff may bring a patent infringement lawsuit (28 U.S.C. §...
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Beware: Common Business Compliance Scams and What to Do If Your Business Has Been Targeted

Recently, Sparks Law has been contacted by several clients with questions concerning a form that they received in the mail, from an entity called “Georgia Council for Corporations.”  This form offers to complete and file annual corporate minutes with the...
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