Blog Posts
4 employment law lessons from the Olympic Village
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Filter by:
Proposed legislation would provide an additional $60B to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant program
Monday, August 2, 2021
On July 20, new legislation was introduced that, if enacted, will amend the American Rescue Plan to provide additional appropriations for, and oversight of, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The ENTREE Act would provide $60 billion to the RFF paid for by rescinding money from unspent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and state and local funds within the American Rescue Plan.
Courtney G. Tito Recognized by Florida Bar as Board Certified Attorney in Health Law
Friday, July 30, 2021
McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate Courtney G. Tito, a Member in our West Palm Beach office, on achieving recognition by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified attorney in Health Law (effective August 1, 2021).
McDonald Hopkins welcomes Lauren E. Rygg to Business Department and Mergers and Acquisitions Team
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Lauren E. Rygg has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC in Chicago as an associate in the Business Department, adding her experience to the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions team.
Biden's Executive Order encourages review of the use of noncompete clauses but stops short of proposing a ban
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Rather than proposing a ban on non-compete clauses, President Joe Biden's July 9, 2021, Executive Order encourages the FTC to consider using its authority to curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses. Given this and recent activity at the state level, it is critical that employers ensure they have appropriate and enforceable restrictive covenants in place.
To mandate or not to mandate? That is the vaccine question
Thursday, July 29, 2021
To mandate or not to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine is not a decision that any employer should take lightly. For those employers contemplating a vaccine mandate, we've compiled seven issues to consider, including obligations to employees who can't be vaccinated, whether you can require proof of vaccination, and what to expect when mandating the vaccine.
The Wild West of name, image, and likeness: NIL roll-out update
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Part 3 in the series "The Wild West of name, image, and likeness: Be prepared when the dust settles" looks at the organized chaos that has followed the change in century-old NCAA guidelines that now allow student athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Further complicating the situation is that various states have passed their own unique laws outlawing schools from prohibiting athletes from financially benefiting from NIL, outside of school activities.
Companies must adapt as investors' increased emphasis on ESG proves these new standards are here to stay
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The for-profit sector is once again prioritizing environmental, social and governance issues as concerns over the pandemic ease. Driven by demands from internal and external stakeholders, as well as the desire to compete for top employees, ESG-themed funds in the U.S. added $8 billion in the first two months of 2021, nearly matching all of 2019.
4 employment law lessons from the Olympic Village
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
The Olympics are a flaming cauldron of employment law issues. Miriam Rosen, Chair of McDonald Hopkins' Labor and Employment Practice, provides insight on four lessons that can be learned from the games, ranging from ADA accommodations for mental health and substance abuse policies, to maternity leave and equal pay.
Illinois enacts telehealth parity bill
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
On July 22, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a telehealth coverage and payment parity bill that will permanently expand access to and coverage for telehealth services.
Healthcare providers impacted by waiver rollback after Florida emergency order expires
Friday, July 23, 2021
Now that the executive order declaring a public health emergency in Florida has lapsed with no grace period for transition and little fanfare to alert those affected, healthcare providers should be on the lookout as their practices may be severely impacted by the unceremonious end to the PHE and the effect on relevant waivers.
Navigating the NIL landscape may have student-athletes in compliance overload
Friday, July 16, 2021
Part 2 in the series "The Wild West of name, image, and likeness: Be prepared when the dust settles" looks at the obligation of compliance with institution-specific policy, NCAA policy and NIL state laws in a new era which allows college athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness.
'5 Questions With' Debbie Berry, Vice President of Community Development at University Circle Incorporated
Monday, July 12, 2021
A monthly segment from the McDonald Hopkins Public Law Group that asks local, regional and statewide leaders to pass along their wisdom on items of current and lasting interest. This ninth installment asks Debbie Berry of University Circle Inc. for her take on what makes University Circle a world-class center of innovation, how UCI keeps the community engaged, and what the organization's greatest challenge is in today's market.
New Illinois legislation will limit restrictive agreements
Friday, July 9, 2021
Illinois recently amended the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (IFWA) to impose stricter limitations on employee non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. This article covers the amended Illinois statute and highlights the provisions that will have the most impact on businesses.
Virtual kitchen industry has opportunities for behemoths and startups
Friday, July 9, 2021
Ghost kitchens began appearing in 2015, but the growth in this industry has skyrocketed since the onset of the pandemic. Learn more about some of the big players in this space and what it takes to start a virtual kitchen.
Biden Administration targets competition
Friday, July 9, 2021
On July 9, President Joe Biden is signing a broad Executive Order that purportedly seeks to increase competition in the labor market and help raise wages by making it easier for employees to change jobs. It will encourage the leading antitrust agencies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FTC, to enforce antitrust laws vigorously and encourages the FTC to ban or limit non-compete agreements, while encouraging both the FTC and DOJ to strengthen antitrust guidance to prevent employers from collaborating to suppress wages or reduce benefits by sharing wage and benefit information with one another.
Surprise billing regulations: Action steps for healthcare providers
Friday, July 9, 2021
On July 1, four federal agencies issued an interim final rule with comment period which will implement various provisions of the No Surprises Act, a bipartisan bill to protect patients from surprise medical bills for non-emergency services furnished by out-of-network providers at in-network healthcare facilities, emergency services, and out-of-network air ambulance services. Our Healthcare team has prepared an article to address the implications of this rule and to provide action steps for healthcare providers.
Franchi highlights potential conflict issues with SPAC transactions
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
The prevelance and increasing popularity of special purpose acquisition companies has brought organization issues to the forefront, notably in the recently filed Franchi v. Multiplan Corp., a class action complaint filed in Delaware Chancery Court on April 9, 2021, which contends that the structure of the SPAC board “practically invites fiduciary misconduct”.
Grais and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot welcome music back to Pritzker Pavilion
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
McDonald Hopkins member and Grant Park Orchestral Association Board Chair Adam Grais introduced Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on July 2, 2021 during opening night of the Grant Park Music Festival.
SBA closes Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
After approving over 101,000 applicants for more than $28 billion, the SBA has announced it is no longer accepting new applications for grants under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Legislation has been introduced in the Senate to replenish the fund with an additional $60 billion, but the bill has not progressed.
The Wild West of name, image, and likeness: Be prepared when the dust settles – A series
Friday, July 2, 2021
Although fiercely competitive and incredibly popular (and lucrative) today, collegiate athletics comes from humble beginnings. Formalized participation in the first college athletic teams began with crew in the 1840s, baseball in the 1850s, football in the 1860s and track and field in the 1870s For nearly two-centuries, athletes who competed in collegiate sport were amateurs. On July 1, 2021, that all changed.
