Newsletters

11.19.20

Employer Can’t Be Sued Over COVID-19 Protections (or Lack Thereof)

Can an employer be liable for an obligation to provide a certain level of protection against COVID-19 for its workers?


11.17.20

Infringer’s Disregard for Counsel’s Advice Justified Treble Damages of Over $1.84M

In Western Plastics, Inc. v. DuBose Strapping, Inc., the district court granted Western Plastic’s motion for treble damages because defendant DuBose Strapping did not reasonably rely on the advice of its counsel.


11.02.20

Patent Drafting Error? Claim Language Interpreted as Oft-Dreaded Means-Plus-Function Element

On August 28, the Federal Circuit issued its decision in Egenera, Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc., offering a timely reminder of the importance of carefully drafting claim language as well as the technical specification that is used to interpret that claim language.


10.30.20

NYC Amends Earned Safe and Sick Time Act

Coming on the heels of New York state’s newly-enacted Paid Sick Leave Law (“PSLL”), on September 29, 2020, New York City significantly amended its Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”).


10.26.20

Insider Cyber Threats From Outside the Office

Insider threats continue to be pervasive and real. Last month’s indictment of a Russian national accused of conspiring to recruit a U.S. company’s employee to carry out a cyberattack is a sharp reminder of that.


10.22.20

Security Implications of Extraterritorial Application of U.S. Law on Cryptocurrency Markets

Recent action by the U.S. government reminds us that engaging in the cryptocurrency markets continues to present counterparty risk in the context of with whom you are doing business.


10.15.20

New Laws for California Employers

With the clock ticking, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law on September 30 several employment-related bills enacted by the California legislature. Below, we highlight some of the new laws employers should begin preparing for.


10.15.20

Single Use of Racial Epithet by Coworker Insufficient for Suit

The one-time use of a racial epithet by a coworker was not enough to sustain a hostile work environment suit brought by a former employee of a district attorney’s office, a California appellate court has ruled.


10.15.20

California Employers With Minor Employees Face Additional Requirements

A new California law has created additional requirements for employers that have workers under the age of 18.


10.15.20

President Prohibits Certain Employee Training

A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump has banned the teaching of “divisive concepts” and “race or sex scapegoating” as part of the training for federal employees and contractors.