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Blog Category | Business law
The New Year Brings Increases in Salary Thresholds
The Labor/Employment Team at Mette wants to remind businesses that the threshold for administrative, executive, and professional exemptions under the FLSA rises on January 1, 2025 to $1,128 weekly/$58,656 annually. This change also apply to exemptions under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act. The federal exemption for Highly Compensated Employees has...
Read moreCan you lose your professional license from a complaint in Pennsylvania?
YES! When your professional license is at risk in Pennsylvania—whether due to a misunderstanding, a false allegation, or a lapse in judgment—it’s essential to understand the gravity of the situation. A single complaint could potentially undo everything you’ve worked for. Pennsylvania’s licensing boards have considerable authority to impose disciplinary actions...
Read moreYour business just got sued…now what?
Your business, the one you and your team have tirelessly built and maintained, has been sued. Now what? You’re not alone Over 99% of businesses in PA are classified as“small businesses”. Unfortunately, statistics also tell us that nearly 50% of these businesses are engaged in an active lawsuit in any...
Read moreWhat to do when your license is at risk because of a professional complaint?
Responding to Allegations of Professional Misconduct in Pennsylvania When facing allegations of error, misconduct, or negligence, licensed professionals in Pennsylvania must take the accusations seriously, as their licenses and reputations could be at stake. It’s crucial to understand the administrative process involved in professional license defense and hire competent representatives...
Read moreHow Do I Protect My Assets?
As of 2023, the United States is home to more than 33.1 million small businesses, employing 61.7 million Americans. As a business owner, you want to do everything you can to protect your hard-earned money. Individually, you want to make sure that real property, stocks, and other investments are protected....
Read moreMette, Evans & Woodside Serves As Counsel to Everett Cash Mutual In Insurance Company in its Acquisition of Farm, Ranch, and Esquire Renewal Business
Global Indemnity Group, LLC (NYSE:GBLI) (“GBLI”), recently announced that American Reliable Insurance Company (“ARIC”), a GBLI subsidiary, completed the disposition of ARIC’s Farm, Ranch, and Equine book of renewal business to Everett Cash Mutual. GBLI also announced that it agreed to sell ARIC to Everett Cash Mutual (ECM), which, subject...
Read moreThe Advantages of Business Entity Conversions
Since July 1, 2015, Pennsylvania businesses have been able to convert from one form to another, with a few simple steps. Before 2015, a business entity that wanted to change its form (such as a general partnership to a limited liability company (LLC)) would have either needed to undergo a...
Read moreNegotiating the Change in Terms Addendum to Agreement of Sale
By James L. Goldsmith, Esquire In a balanced market, and frequently in this seller’s market, properties are sold twice. There is the original offer and acceptance and then there is the renegotiation that follows the inspection reports. When a problem is discovered by an inspection, how should it be handled?...
Read moreState Investigates Licensees Alleged to Have Violated Governor’s Closure Orders
By James L. Goldsmith, Esquire The process of reopening business in Pennsylvania has been a bumpy road and the twists and turns ahead make predictions difficult. Not so the past: we know what was allowed and what not at any particular time. On March 19, 2020, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered...
Read moreSocial Media & Financial Considerations For Real Estate Professionals Old issues – New times
Old issues – New times By James L. Goldsmith, Esquire Social Media Remember being inundated with solicitations for courses on the essentials of social networking, the rules of media etiquette and the like? Everyone was all over that stuff. Today, when the Commonwealth’s response to the pandemic evokes such vitriol...
Read moreTake Notice: Simple Ways Lenders Can Protect Themselves
What does the automaker Honda have in common with Capital One? They both faced multi-million dollar class action lawsuits for alleged violations of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code’s repossession provisions4. Recent lawsuits against both companies alleged that vehicles they financed were repossessed without providing the borrower with notice...
Read morePlanning for the End of LIBOR
While every participant in the financial markets knows that the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is not guaranteed after 2021, few have taken steps to prepare for LIBOR’s end. Many variable rate notes are pegged to LIBOR as the reference rate; many notes executed today which reference LIBOR will nonetheless...
Read moreMobile Deposit Patent Lawsuit
A United States District Court in Texas recently awarded United Services Automobile Association (“USAA”) a $102.8 million verdict against Wells Fargo in a mobile deposit patent lawsuit filed in August 2018. USAA alleged that the mobile deposit capture technology used by Wells Fargo infringed on USAA’s patent held in the...
Read moreHuman Relation (HR) Issues
Human Relations (HR) department often encounter legal questions. Attorney Kathryn Lease Simpson discusses the HR issues Mette, Evans & Woodside can assist with.
Read moreEmployee Handbook Review
As a Pennsylvania business owner, you probably have an employee handbook. Attorney Kathryn Lease Simpson discusses why it is a good idea to review your handbook for any updates or changes.
Read moreAvoiding Employment Issues
Attorney Kathryn Lease Simpson discusses how you can avoid employment issues as an employer. The number one way is through prevention.
Read moreRealtors Should Guard Against Discriminatory Practices
Study reveals housing discrimination by real estate licensees By: James L. Goldsmith, Esquire An article that appeared in the New York Times in November 2019 cited study results showing housing discrimination by real estate licensees. Investigators posing as white buyers received different treatment than buyers of color and of other...
Read moreAddressing Housing Discrimination With Your Real Estate Clients
By: James L. Goldsmith, Esquire While you are committed to uphold the principals of fair housing, you may find the occasional client or customer who hasn’t accepted your pledge. They may ask you to turn your gaze as they engage in unlawful and furtive discrimination; they may ask you to...
Read moreWhat Workplace Notices To Employees Are Required?
Some of the statutes and regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) mandate notices be provided to employees and/or posted in the workplace. Posting requirements vary by statute; that is, not all employers are covered by each of the statutes and thus may not be required to post...
Read moreHow Can an Organization Manage the Risk of a Cyberattack?
The threat of a cyberattack is the sort of thing that keeps business owners up at night. Having an appropriate plan in place is critical to managing an organization’s response to a cyberattack. An organization will want to both manage risk before a security incident occurs, and mitigate risk afterward....
Read moreThe Difference Between An Informal And Formal License Complaint
Attorney James L. Goldsmith covers the difference between and informal and formal license complaint. When faced with either, it is important to have an experienced professional licensure attorney on your side.
Read moreProfessional License Investigation Process
When you’re the subject of an investigation, it is important to understand the investigation process. Attorney James L. Goldsmith covers all you need to know.
Read moreProfessional License Complaint What To Do
Attorney James L. Goldsmith explains what you should do if you are notified that you are the subject of a professional license complaint. First and foremost, is to consult with an experienced professional license defense attorney.
Read moreHow An Attorney Can Help With A Professional License Application
Obtaining your professional license can be a difficult process. Attorney James L. Goldsmith discusses how an experienced professional licensure attorney can help.
Read moreBiggest Mistake Licensed Professionals Make Regarding A Complaint
The biggest mistake a licensed professional makes regarding a complaint is going in alone. Attorney James L. Goldsmith discusses the importance of having an attorney on your side when facing a complaint.
Read moreProtecting Your LLC as the Sole Member
By Timothy A. Hoy, Esq. A: First, you should understand Pennsylvania law on the effect of your death on the limited liability company (LLC). Unless you have an operating agreement for the company which says something different, the law provides that the company will cease to exist within 180 days...
Read moreAdvantages of Converting a Limited Partnership to an LLC
Two recent changes in Pennsylvania law made it advantageous to convert a limited partnership which owns real estate (and/or other income-producing assets) to a limited liability company. A preferred form of ownership for real estate and other income-producing investments prior to January 1, 2016 was the limited partnership which owns...
Read moreWill Your Business Be a Victim of Cybersquatting?
The protection of your company’s online identity is more important than ever before. You need a unique presence to maximize business from online inquiries. Because of the value of a business’s online presence, dishonest competitors will sometimes attempt to improperly divert online search results through “cybersquatting.” Cybersquatting occurs when a...
Read morePlanning for the Future of Your Enterprise
You have a business idea. It may be that you have discovered a unique product or idea (invented or just came upon an opportunity to market some else’s product or idea). Perhaps it is filling a discerned need in your community, say an Italian restaurant or book store, fitness club...
Read moreShould I Be Concerned about Using Online Legal Forms for My Business?
by Thomas A. Archer When they need legal documents, some business owners opt to employ “online” forms, versions of documents used previously, or borrowed from other companies. It’s understandable that businesses might view this practice as a harmless way to minimize costs. The trouble with using generic forms is that,...
Read moreDo You Have a Legal Wellness Program?
by Kathryn Simpson Health wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular. Today, most people, if not directly participating in one, are at least familiar with the concept. Companies sponsor wellness programs for a number of reasons including lowering operating costs, helping employees avoid major issues and improving overall workforce performance. Recently,...
Read moreProtecting Your Electronic Communication Privacy
by Kathryn Simpson Anyone who has had an appointment with a health care provider in the past nine years is familiar with the privacy policies that protect their health information. Federal law requires the protection of this information and provides a sense of security in knowing that your health privacy...
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