June 2, 2015

Wake-up Call to Employers About Unemployment Laws

Wake-up Call to Employers About Unemployment Laws A recent Illinois appellate court case reemphasises what employers need to do to oppose an unemployment claim. An employee was found by his supervisor asleep on duty as a security guard at O’Hare airport. The employer terminated the employee and the employee filed […]
June 1, 2015
Business and Commercial Law

Not All Debts Are Dischargeable in Bankruptcy

Not All Debts Are Dischargeable in Bankruptcy A debtor may not be able to discharge debts incurred through its agent’s fraud. The Federal Court for the Northern District recently reiterated that not all debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy. It has long been true that debts procured by way of fraud are barred […]
February 10, 2015

Illinois Enacts One of the Strongest Workplace Laws Protecting Pregnant Women and New Mothers

New Illinois statute protects pregnant women and new mothers form workplace discrimination. Effective January 1, 2015, pregnant women and new mothers have sweeping news protections from discrimination in hiring and in the workplace.  In a major shift, the Pregnancy Fairness Law (“Act”), 775 ILCS 5/1-103(L-5), amends the Illinois Human Rights Act […]
November 25, 2014

New Penalties for Wage-and-Hour Violations

New Penalties for Wage-and-Hour Violations Additional penalties for employers who fail to comply with wage payment requirements. A new Illinois law increases the fee amounts for employers ordered to pay unpaid wages to employees.  See Pub. Act 098-0527 (eff. Jan. 1, 2014) (amending 820 ILCS 115/14). The Illinois Wage Payment and […]
November 25, 2014

Employers Cannot Ask About Criminal History on Job Applications

Employers Cannot Ask About Criminal History on Job Applications Starting January 2015, a new Illinois law will prohibit criminal history questions on job applications. Beginning in January, employers of 15 or more employees won’t be allowed to require prospective employees to disclose their criminal history on a job application.  The “Job Opportunities […]
November 25, 2014

U.S. Department of Labor Reclassifying Interns as Employees

U.S. Department of Labor Reclassifying Interns as Employees If you are using “interns,” they may be reclassified as “employees.” Beware the U.S. Department of Labor is investigating and prosecuting small businesses, and David Letterman, for failing to pay minimum wage and overtime to interns. There are some circumstances under which […]
May 20, 2014

L&W Attorneys to Discuss Hidden Tax Issues

L&W Attorneys to Discuss Hidden Tax Issues April is over, but taxes never go away. On Thursday, June 12, Rick and Charles will be speaking from 8:00 to 10:00 am at a presentation hosted by Precision Payroll of America LLC on various things you may not realize your business is doing (or […]
November 6, 2013

Do-It-Yourself Contracts No. 1

Do-It-Yourself Contracts No. 1 Being an entrepreneur often means doing things yourself. But it doesn’t mean doing them badly. For the past 20 years, Fred had run his own software company. Like any good small-business owner, he wore many hats—HR department, payroll processor, accountant, and chief technical officer, to name a […]
September 18, 2013

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul Comingling funds can have broad repercussions. Mary owned two small businesses. Through one she sold small trinkets and other novelty items. Through the other she was an event planner, helping people put together wedding and baby showers, as well as birthday and other kinds of parties. For various […]
September 18, 2013

Regulatory Bear Trap

Regulatory Bear Trap Be sure your marketing plan doesn’t run afoul of government regulations. Joe was a successful entrepreneur.  He ran a small business out of his home, connecting businesses that had too much inventory with people who needed the excess product.  After finding someone who needed product Joe knew […]