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Recent Articles from BridgeTower Media Newswires
Moving up
A promotion presents a public reward and affirmation for the person promoted, of course—and it’s a powerful opportunity to promote workplace values and culture. When done right and granted to deserving team members, promotions can motivate your entire team and reinforce your company culture. According to a Harvard Business Review survey of more than 400,000 […]
Club owner ‘abused’ arbitration process
A South Carolina strip club owner’s apparent exploitation and abuse of the arbitration process has resulted in a smackdown from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Crazy Horse Saloon and Restaurant Inc., based in Myrtle Beach, had been embroiled in a class action over its alleged misclassification of dancers as independent contractors for more […]
Computer made overseas satisfies interstate nexus
Proving interstate commerce shouldn’t be all that difficult for federal prosecutors in the wake of a decision earlier this month from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court in United States v. Ronald Miltier held that the fact that a defendant’s computer was made overseas was enough to establish the interstate nexus requirement […]
One warrant, thousands of computers: feds’ search OK
A single warrant allowed FBI agents to infiltrate thousands of computers across the world as part of a child porn sting that relied on a government hacking technique that peels away the dark web’s supposed mask of anonymity. Privacy advocates and defense lawyers cried foul, but the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has admitted […]
How to recognize and avoid robocalls
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a trustworthy telemarketer and a scammer who uses the phone to lure people in. With the help of internet software, callers are able to operate from just about anywhere in the world, and the phone number coming through looks local and legitimate. A report published […]
Court distinguishes ineffective assistance, plain error
A North Carolina “career offender” serving 25 years after pleading guilty to gun and drug charges is looking at some degree of relief after the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Dec. 21 that the standards of review for plain error and for ineffective assistance of counsel are different. Appellant Jolon Carthorne Sr. in […]
Keep your office holiday party harassment-free
The shenanigans that occur at office holiday parties are often the subject of movie plots, memes and inside jokes among co-workers. In today’s culture, however, these shenanigans can serve as the basis for a claim of sexual harassment or other related misconduct. Worse yet, this year’s holiday party shenanigans could be tomorrow’s headlines. As a […]
Presumed visa waiver doesn’t violate due process
After 16 years in America, an Argentinian “tourist” is being deported without a hearing after the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that despite the absence of a signed waiver, he in fact waived his right to contest removal. Gustavo Nardea entered the U.S. in 2001 under the Visa Waiver Program, which authorized him […]
Keeping your balance: 2017 year-end tax planning
Year-end 2017 is shaping up as an important deadline to have tax strategies in place to take advantage of certain opportunities before they sunset along with the close of the tax year on Dec. 31, 2017. A major challenge this year, of course, involves the uncertainty that will remain — likely into late November/early December […]
Stock returns aren’t always what you may think
The brutal truth is that most stocks are a poor investment. That’s a shocking claim because it runs counter to the widely held assumption that most stocks will be a good investment if held long enough. After all, investors are constantly reminded to stick with their investments for the long-term and are told that patience […]
Must-have Apple Watch and iPhone apps for lawyers
The iPhone celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. In 2017, a decade after its release, it’s still the most popular smartphone with lawyers according to the recently released American Bar Association’s 2017 Legal Technology Survey Report. Of the lawyers surveyed, 96% used smartphones for law-related purposes while away from their office. And, the iPhone was […]
Standing up for social justice
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Four months after Heather Heyer was killed at a protest spawned by a white nationalist rally in this city, her mother still weeps. In the offices of the Miller Law Group where Heyer worked as a paralegal, Susan Bro wipes away tears when she speaks of Violet, her daughter’s tiny Chihuahua, which has […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Driver fell asleep, causing significant auto accident — $1M settlement
- Defense verdict returned for company in rear-end crash
- Cauda equina syndrome developed after procedure — $625,000 settlement
- Passenger died months after sustaining multiple injuries — $725,000 settlement
- Plaintiff injured in crash with oncoming vehicle — $235,000 settlement
- Driver killed in rear-end collision with tractor-trailer — $1.5M settlement
- Man died from pancreatic cancer after delayed response — $1.8M settlement
- Worker fell off roof, rendering him a paraplegic — $1.25M settlement
- Driver sustained permanent hearing loss after traffic collision — $240,000 settlement
- Plaintiff suffered concussion in rear-end collision — $81,000 verdict
- Builder misrepresented home status to buyers — $675,000 verdict
- Low potassium led to cardiac arrest, death of patient — $1M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Company owner dodges breach of contract suit
- Employee’s own allegations doom minimum wage claim
- Federal government defeats former employee’s claims
- Principal wasn’t entitled to exclusively remote work
- USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
- Untimely lawsuit allowed to proceed
- Engineering consultant dismissed from suit
- Rule 60 motion was filed too late
- Nonprofit directors immune from ex-employees’ claims
- City, employees immune from whistleblower claims
- Experts excluded in condemnation damages suit
- Judgment entered against company for horse’s death
