A Washington, DC business law firm serving local, regional, national and international companies and business ventures for 20 years
Many employers find it awkward and uncomfortable when they receive notice that a current employee has lodged an employment law complaint against them. This is especially true in smaller companies where employers have more personal relationships with their employees. Some employers unwisely take it personally. Others become overly tentative in their dealings with the employee… Read More »
Especially in recent years, many employers have trended toward running more casual workplaces. And while there can be certain benefits to this approach — especially for small businesses — it also presents numerous risks and complications. Employers must take these into account when choosing this type of management style. Even if employers do choose this… Read More »
In general, if you would have qualified for benefits under the DREAM Act, you qualify for deferred action status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Under DACA, you may apply for deferred action status. If granted, deferred action status will give you a legal work permit, a Social Security number, and — depending on… Read More »
The DREAM Act — Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors — seems indefinitely stalled in the legislature. To make some progress on the issue of illegal immigrants who entered the country as children — who did not choose to violate American immigration law — President Obama recently instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)… Read More »
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits employer discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities who can otherwise perform the essential functions of their jobs. But we usually think of disabilities as things like paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, or speech defects — conditions entirely beyond… Read More »
Welcome to the Tobin, O’Connor & Ewing blog. We handle cases involving business law in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States. We believe in providing practical and professional representation when handling business law, visa and green card issues. Our attorneys have extensive experience in many aspects of the law and are licensed to practice… Read More »
A recent article in the Washington Post discusses the likelihood of phased retirement becoming more prevalent in the Washington, DC area over the next few years. As large numbers of baby boomers “age out” of the traditional full-time workforce, employers and employees alike must consider whether and how to retire. Phased retirement — a term… Read More »
To qualify for benefits under the Obama Administration’s take on the DREAM Act, you must currently not have legal status to live and work in the United States. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, in effect since August 15th, 2012, aims to help ‘innocent’ out-of-status immigrants — those who arrived as children and… Read More »
Creating a discrimination-free workplace means more than just avoiding harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits. Employees who feel valued and judged based on their contributions work more productively. Additionally, workers who feel that they have a safe and established way to communicate with superiors about problems with coworkers will help root out unethical or illegal behavior… Read More »
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) makes it unlawful for companies and their representatives to make payments to foreign officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business — even when such payments (bribes) typify business practice in that country. Historically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has prosecuted both the individual businessmen and the companies involved… Read More »
