Resources

by Amy Dieterich

Employer Incentives Under the New Federal Coronavirus Response Act

 Last week, you probably felt inundated with COVID-19 information and updates.  Everything – and I mean everything – seems to be evolving rapidly.  On March 18, the President signed an emergency law (the “Family’s First Coronavirus Response Act”) to provide initial relief to workers in the wake of the pandemic. The law expands federal FMLARead More

by Jordan Payne Hay

Maine Passes Emergency Unemployment Insurance Bill: What Employers Need to Know About It

Yesterday, the Maine Legislature passed emergency legislation that was aimed, in part, at temporarily extending eligibility for unemployment benefits to workers that have been impacted by COVID-19.  The new law allows workers to become eligible for unemployment benefits immediately in situations that would not typically be covered.  Workers can now apply for and receive unemploymentRead More

by Amy Dieterich

What Employers Should Be Thinking About as Coronavirus Continues to Disrupt Our Lives and the Workplace

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a “pandemic.”  Employers should mobilize and prepare now to ensure that they are equipped to handle the inevitable disruptions in the workplace that this relatively unprecedented pandemic may cause.  Here are some things you should be thinking about: Tough QuestionsRead More

by William Skelton

Do I Need a Trust?

This is a common question we hear.  Maybe you have a disabled child and you want a trust to permit that child to inherit without losing government benefits.  Maybe you or your spouse are having health problems, and you can foresee eventually needing long-term care benefits.  Trusts will allow you to avoid the expensive, public,Read More

by William Skelton

Power of Attorney Misconceptions

A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have.  It allows someone who you appoint (your agent) to make decisions on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated.  If you have not appointed an agent, then your friends and family may not have the authority toRead More

by Andrew J. Zulieve

Trade Secret Protection for Valuable Customer Lists

It is without dispute that customer lists can be of considerable value to a company. To maximize protection and value for these valuable assets, the prudent business owner should consider trade secret protection against misappropriation statutes under applicable state or federal law.  Courts generally recognize that customer lists are not automatically entitled to trade secretRead More

by Amy Dieterich

It’s Been 24 Days … Are You Caught Up on the Newest Overtime Regs?

Happy New Year!  We are officially 24-days into the modern 20s, and it’s time for your friendly lawyerly reminder that the Federal Department of Labor (DOL)’s “Final Rule” on overtime pay (that was announced in September of last year) took effect on January 1, 2020.  Perhaps more importantly, Maine’s minimum wage went up to $12.00Read More

by Andrew J. Zulieve

Contracts: Make Sure There is an Intellectual Property Ownership Clause

If you own a business, you have undoubtedly entered into contracts with others for various purposes. However, you may not be aware of or fully appreciate their legal implications on your company’s valuable intellectual property assets, such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. These “intangible property” rights and interests may be of considerable valueRead More