Author: Rock Fusco Connelly LLC
Non-Compete Clauses: Worthless if Overly Broad
A recent federal case in Chicago highlights the importance of drafting specific non-compete clauses that fully comply with Illinois law (or the law of any applicable state). In order to protect themselves, most business owners require their employees to sign non-compete clauses to prevent client-poaching by former employees. Unfortunately many of those clauses become worthless
You Don’t Need Big Law for Big Wins
People often think that bigger or more expensive law firms equal more quality work from the attorneys at those firms. One recent award to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation represented by a small boutique law firm proves otherwise. As you may remember, in 2009, Colonial Bank failed, and was scalded by the court for being
Supreme Court Ruling Deals Big Blow to Unions
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court ruled that public workers do not have to pay union fees if they choose not to join the union, potentially poking a significant hole in the unions’ pockets. The 5-4 decision, which included a vote from recent appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch, reversed the legal precedent set in 1977 that
Jimmy John’s Not Liable for Franchisee’s Alleged Wage Violations
Jimmy John’s was able to escape a federal wage violation lawsuit last month freaky fast, in a suit that was a win for franchisors. The lawsuit alleged that Jimmy Johns was a joint employer of assistant mangers at Jimmy John’s franchises nationwide. The assistant managers also claimed they should not have been classified as overtime-exempt
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Not Preempted By Workers’ Comp Act
A federal judge in Chicago recently allowed a woman’s lawsuit alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress against her employer to move forward, ruling that the claim is not preempted by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. In Phillips v. Exxon Mobil Corp., Plaintiff’s lawsuit, brought under Illinois law (in federal court due to a federal claim in
Employees’ Privileged Communications Using Company’s Email Account Protected?
Are e-mails protected by attorney-client privilege when an employee communicates with their personal lawyer via their work-provided email address? Until recently, the answer seemed to be no, they are not protected by privilege. Attached to this rule however was the caveat that the company had to circulate a personnel policy explicitly warning that such communications
U.S. Supreme Court Protects Colorado Baker’s Religious Beliefs
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that a local Colorado baker is not required to make a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage. Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cake in Denver was sued in Colorado state court after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage. The Colorado court ruled that the baker
Potential Benefits to Hiring Your Child Part Time
Following one of the country’s most dramatic tax changes in history, hiring your child home for the summer is more appealing than ever. Both your child and your business can receive serious tax advantages should you decide to hire him or her part time. For sole proprietorships, single member LLCs, or husband-wife partnership LLCs, hiring
Class Action Effort Thwarted by Company’s $100 Check
A telecom company’s $100 check offered to a customer who lost service for two weeks prevented him from bringing a class action against the company, an Illinois Appellate Court ruled this month. The company sent the customer a $100 check to cover the portion of his bill for the period of lost service, which totaled
New Assessor in November Could Equal Tax Consequences for Commercial Property Owners
After a shocking upset win by Fritz Kaegi in the Democratic primary for the Cook County Assessor over reigning Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, in the event Mr. Kaegi wins the general election in November, commercial property owners may see a significant spike in their property taxes. Mr. Berrios had been criticized for how commercial