Last month, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, finding that employment arbitration agreements that require employees to bring individual arbitrations – as opposed to class actions – are enforceable. This ruling is significant because, for many employers, the prospect of a class action employment lawsuit can be daunting. Odin, […]
How Divorce Can Impact Your Estate Plan
With the increased divorce rate in today’s society, many individuals experiencing a divorce focus on the issues directly involved in the divorce. For example, they may focus on spousal support, child support and the division of assets, but those same individuals forget that after a divorce or even during, there are additional considerations involving their […]
Copyright Basics For Startups And Entrepreneurs
In most cases, the value of an early-stage business is based primarily on its intellectual property, such as its rights in inventions, literary and artistic works, and the symbols, images, and names used to identify the business to its prospective customers. Though many entrepreneurs and startups immediately think of seeking patent protection for their ideas, […]
Ten Things That Employers Should Know About Maryland’s New Sick And Safe Leave Law
Maryland’s new sick and safe leave law may have come as a surprise to many Maryland employers. The “Maryland Healthy Working Families Act” (the “Act”) went into effect on Feb. 11, 2018, only a few weeks after the General Assembly overrode Governor Larry Hogan’s veto. This left employers with little time to adjust their business […]
Caring For Pets As Part Of Your Estate Plan
Many if not all of us have had a pet during our lifetimes. But what happens to that pet if the owner becomes incapacitated or dies? Virginia (Section 64.2-726), Maryland (Section 14.5-407) and the District of Columbia (Section 19-1304.08) all have statutes that permit the creation of a trust for the care of a pet. […]
7 Trademark Rules Every Startup Should Know
A trademark or service mark is a brand identifier. Every company offering products or services has at least one. While the name of a product or service tells consumers what it is, the associated mark tells consumers who offers it to the public. The selection and use of a brand name involves a number of […]