September 2011

A Florida circuit court judge has ruled that attorney and real estate investor, David S. Band, will stand trial a second time to decide if damages are owed to a fellow investor in the St. John Grande Bay condominium complex. Judge Charles E. Roberts’ order means that Band — who was exonerated in early May of defrauding investors in the soured Grande Bay deal — will face another jury as early as the end of the year. If that jury decides that Band does owe investor Harold Libby money, the award could top $1 million.Continue Reading St. John Grand Bay Investor Seeks Damages in Florida Court

What if I told you that you could pay your U.S. Virgin Islands employees $2.13/hr, legally? You would probably say, “Sign me up!” As many employers in the Territory already know, if you are in the tourist service or restaurant industry, you can pay your employees that traditionally receive tips, no less than $2.13/hr in direct wages.

The Virgin Islands Department of Labor, Division of Labor Relations, has promulgated regulations that put strict guidelines on what is allowed in paying tipped employees and how such tips are distributed. It is essential, however, for employers who are in the tourist service and restaurant industries to abide by these regulations, or risk facing an exhaustive investigation and audit by the Virgin Islands Department of Labor with risk of fines and penalties.

 Continue Reading The Tipping Point: How to Pay Your USVI Employees $2.13/ hr.

The Obama administration has intensified a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants, notifying over 1,000 companies recently that the government plans to inspect their hiring records. Employers of all sizes were notified they must hand over I-9 employment-eligibility forms, which contain Social Security numbers, dates of birth and statements by employees of their citizenship status.Continue Reading Should You Be Concerned About I-9 Audits?

It appears that Google is bringing its fearsome powers of information organization to the legal world:

Traditional lawyers may not like it, but venture capitalists are pouring money into one of the last industries to resist commoditization on the Web. Google Ventures today announced it is part of a group that infused $18.5 million into Rocket Lawyer, which bills itself as the “fastest growing online legal service.”

. . . . Rocket Lawyer provides online legal forms, from wills to Delaware certificates of incorporation, that non-lawyers can fill out and store and share on the Web. For $19.95 a month, consumers can also have their documents reviewed by a real lawyer and even get legal advice at no additional cost.
 Continue Reading I, For One, Welcome Our New Google Overlords.

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) has issued final rules that will require most private employers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the United States to post in the workplace by November 14, 2011 a notice informing employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), including their right to form and join labor unions. This new posting requirement is similar to one imposed last year on federal contractors pursuant to an Executive Order from the President. The new rules mark the first time that private employers other than government contractors have been required to post a notice informing employees of the full range of their NLRA rights. It should be noted that at least one lawsuit has already been filed challenging the NLRB’s authority to issue the new rules. 

Continue Reading VI Employers Required to Inform Employees of Right to Form and Join Labor Unions