Georgia Legislature Passes Strict, “Arizona-Style” Immigration Bill
4/20/11
By Ben Mathis & Kelly Morrison
On April 14, the Georgia state legislature passed immigrant legislation (HB87) on April 14, the final day of its 2011 session. Governor Nathan Deal announced that he approves of and will sign the bill. …
Supreme Court Clarifies "Cats Paw" Liability for Discrimination Claims
3/8/11
By Ben Mathis and Jonathan Kandel
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a decision that could leave employers liable for discrimination even if the ultimate decisionmaker has no discriminatory animus. The Court held that an employer can be liable based …
The Supreme Court Expands Retaliation Protections To Third Party Family Members
1/26/11
By Bradley Adler
In an opinion released on January 24, 2011, the Supreme Court held that third parties may have a cause of action for retaliation under Title VII if they suffer an adverse employment action due to their connection …
EEOC Issues Final Regulations On Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
1/17/11
By: Ben Mathis and Jonathan Kandel
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently issued final rules related to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”). Title II of GINA, which became effective on November 21, 2009, makes it unlawful for …
New Federal Contract and Notice Requirements Go Into Effect on June 21
6/16/10
By Ben Mathis
The Federal Register has posted the final rule regarding Executive Order 13496. This Executive Order requires that, beginning on June 21, all contractors and subcontractors who work on a contract with a federal agency must post a …
Supreme Court of Georgia: Absence of a Reservation of Rights Waives Coverage Defenses Without a Showing of Prejudice
5/6/10
By Philip W. Savrin
The Supreme Court of Georgia has answered a lingering question as to whether an insurer can assert coverage defenses when it has defended its insured without a reservation of rights absent a showing of prejudice to …
Employment Changes Come At Dramatic Pace
4/20/10
By Benton J. Mathis, Jr.
The current Administration and Congress continue to make significant changes to employment regulations and laws. This article summarizes some of the major changes that all employers should be familiar with. …
Medical Malpractice Damage Caps Struck Down
3/23/10
By Philip W. Savrin and Jonathan J. Kandel
Six months after hearing oral arguments in Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, P.C. v. Nestlehutt, 2010 WL 1004996 (Ga. Mar. 22, 2010), the Georgia Supreme Court struck down O.C.G.A. § 51-13-1, which had limited …
The Supreme Court of Georgia Upholds the Offer of Settlement Statute
3/15/10
By: Matthew P. Stone and Todd H. Surden
Today, in Smith v. Salon Baptiste, 2010 WL 889557 (Ga. Mar. 15, 2010), the Supreme Court of Georgia upheld O.C.G.A. § 9-11-68, Georgia’s offer of settlement statute. The statute, which is part …
Eleventh Circuit Approves of County’s Evidentiary Support for Adult Entertainment Ordinance
2/17/10
By Dana Maine
Yesterday, a panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision providing guidance on the evidentiary support necessary for enacting an adult entertainment ordinance. The decision supports a government’s reliance on studies and empirical evidence …
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Federal Ban on Texting for Commercial Truck Drivers
1/27/10
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a federal guidance that prohibits commercial motor vehicle drivers from texting while driving. The prohibition is effective immediately and carries civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. This guidance is the …
Obama Signs COBRA Subsidy Extension
12/22/09
By: Kelly E. Morrison
On Saturday, December 19, President Obama signed H.R. 3326, a defense appropriations bill with a continuation provision that will let involuntarily terminated workers seek the temporary 65% Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy extension until …