Category: Business Law
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
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
Zillow Beats Class Action Fraud Lawsuit
Earlier this month a federal judge in Chicago dismissed a class action lawsuit against the online real estate company, Zillow. Zillow was accused by Illinois homeowners of violating the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act in its promotion and use of the website’s “Zestimate” tool which posted millions of estimates
Update on Legalized Sports Gambling
Back in January we reported that the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether New Jersey would be allowed to offer sports gambling. Only a few days ago, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in New Jersey’s favor. Starting immediately, the landmark decision allows each state to legalize sports gambling at its own behest.
Facebook Feels Bipartisan Heat; May Be Too Big For Taming
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony before committees from both the House and Senate further confirmed one of the largest data privacy intrusions in U.S. history. Both sides of the aisle are now pushing for data privacy regulations to protect the millions of Americans who use the site. The scandal arose from the discovery that Facebook
Social Benefit Companies Get Bidding Edge for County Contracts
A new ordinance recently passed in Cook County gives preferential bidding rights to companies that County believes will service the public benefit. According to the ordinance, if an eligible social enterprise bids no more than 5% higher than the lowest competing bid, the social enterprise will win the bid. An example of a “social enterprise”
Robo-Call Ruling A Win for Businesses
A recent opinion in a federal appellate case (D.C. Circuit Court) was a huge win for American businesses utilizing automated telephone solicitations. The court unanimously voted against a 2015 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule aimed at limiting auto-dialing devices, but which also would have prohibited calls from any smartphone. That outcome, which certainly would have
Cannabis, a Potential Business Boom on the Horizon in Illinois
You may have noticed when voting last month in the Illinois primary that Illinois is considering legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. In fact, 68% of Cook County voters voted in favor of this advisory, nonbinding referendum on the ballot. It is no secret that the State of Illinois is strapped for cash with nearly