We are hearing a lot about Executive Orders in the news. The President has signed more than 100 of them since taking office in January. So, what are Executive Orders and how do they impact your business? What Are Executive Orders? The Executive Order is a tool the President uses to set priorities and direct... View Article
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is placing greater emphasis on combatting national origin discrimination against American workers. The EEOC seeks to protect American workers from employers who unfairly favor non-American workers, such as undocumented immigrants, migrant workers, and visa holders. Common unlawful preferences include: 1. Seeking lower-cost labor by exploiting wage requirements. 2.... View Article
Oregon has enacted HB 4127, also known as the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2025. The new law introduces critical protections for warehouse workers, particularly those working under strict quotas in e-commerce and large distribution centers. Key Provisions of the Oregon Warehouse Worker Protection Act – Transparent quota requirements: Employers... View Article
Learn how 2025 Executive Orders impact workplace diversity policies. Get actionable steps to ensure DEI compliance while fostering inclusion. UPDATE On February 21, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the enforcement of key provisions in the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI. The lawsuit, brought... View Article
This article was originally published on December 18, 2024, and was updated on February 7, 2025. Since the election of the new administration, significant changes to U.S. immigration policies have impacted employers across various industries. Recent executive orders (EOs) issued in January 2025 introduce substantial modifications to hiring, compliance, and workforce management. Key updates include:... View Article
UPDATE: New developments again on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). On December 26, the court reversed its previous decision, and filing is suspended pending further litigation. Read on the latest update here. On December 23, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), reversing an earlier nationwide injunction that had paused... View Article
As we approach the end of 2024, the impending reduction of the federal estate and gift tax exemption continues to be a key consideration for estate planning. The current exemption levels, set by the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017, remain at historically high levels of $13.61 million per individual and $27.22 million for... View Article
This article was originally published in Equinox Business Law’s website on June 7, 2018 as “Updates to Washington’s Equal Pay Act Go Into Effect”. On March 28, 2024, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1905, broadening the scope of Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). Since 1943, the EPOA prohibited sex- and gender-based... View Article
On August 20, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) rule that would have banned noncompete agreements nationwide. This ruling has significant implications for both employers and employees across the United States. U.S. District Judge Ada Brown ruled that the FTC does not have the authority to implement a sweeping... View Article