As of the first day of 2012, U.S. Virgin Islands domestic corporations can have fewer than three directors, making it easier for smaller companies to establish themselves, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor announced Monday. V.I. law’s previous requirement of a minimum of three directors has historically placed a burden on some smaller companies, especially where there is a single owner who must coordinate management decisions with directors who have no financial stake in the enterprise.

 

Continue Reading U.S. Virgin Islands Corporations Allowed Fewer Directors

One place,  known for its Appalachian Mountains and rich coal supply,  was immortalized in John Denver’s 1970s hit, “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The other has white sandy beaches, rum distilling and an average January high temperature of 86 degrees that attracts millions of tourists each year. From economy to climate, West Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are as different as any two places in the United States. But that hasn’t stopped them from discussing whether to work together to form a health insurance exchange under the federal health care law, say officials in West Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Continue Reading U.S. Virgin Islands Discusses Joint Insurance Exchange with West Virginia

With the holidays over and a new year upon us, it is a natural time for business owners to map out strategies and goals for the next twelve months. Doing so allows businesses a chance to focus their energies on having a successful 2012 and gives them a metric by which to measure their successes and locate opportunities for improvement at the end of the year. Here are three suggestions that will assist businesses in planning for the year ahead

Continue Reading New Years Tips for Business Owners

Attorney Nycole A. Thompson with BoltNagi PC appealed her client’s conviction for aiding and abetting the unauthorized possession of a firearm. Thompson argued that the trial court’s admission, over her objections, of a certificate of non-existence of record (“CNR”) stating that her client did not have a gun license in District of St. Croix violated her client’s Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him because the person who prepared the certificate did not testify at trial and her client did not have the previous opportunity to cross-examine the person who prepared the exhibit.

Continue Reading Confrontation Clause Bars Surrogate Testimony

Nycole A. Thompson, an associate in the Litigation  and Real Estate & Financial Services Practice Groups of BoltNagi PC, one of the largest firms in the Territory, was elected to the position of Secretary of the Virgin Islands Bar Association at the Annual Meeting of the Bar at the Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix, Virgin Islands on December 9, 2011.

“I am honored to have been elected by my peers for this important responsibilty,” said Thompson. “I am eager to support my fellow Virgin Islands attorneys in their professional development and hope to work closely with Bar President Karin Bentz and the members of the Board of Governors to continue to advance the mission of the Bar Association and the administration of justice in the United States Virgin Islands.”

Continue Reading Virgin Islands Bar Elects BoltNagi Attorney Nycole Thompson Secretary

Lawyer deregulation appears to be the current zeitgeist in the legal reform movement. Great Britain is experimenting with lawyer deregulation, which would make some basic legal services available at supermarkets. The Brookings Institution–somewhat surprisingly, to me–recently published a study recommending the deregulation of the legal industry in the United States as well. (Hat tip Futurelawyer.)

Continue Reading “Brave New Lawyerless World”

Lisa Michelle Kömives, an attorney with the Litigation Practice Group at BoltNagi PC, was elected to serve on the Humane Society of St. Thomas Board of Directors.
“I’m honored to be elected to the board, and am looking forward to contributing to the continued efforts of the Humane Society to improve our community”. Attorney Kömives is a longtime advocate for animals and community awareness is dedicated to the safety and welfare of our island animals.
“Community education and awareness of effective programs to control the animal overpopulation are in place, however, funding continues to inhibit the process” notes Kömives. “The work the Humane Society of St. Thomas does to help the animals in this community, and thereby the community at large, is extraordinary and, notably, is only limited by available resources, not by a lack of will to do more”.
The Humane Society operates largely through revenues produced by Annual Membership in the Humane Society of St. Thomas, animal adoptions, flea market, sponsor of a kennel, and special events such as Barktoberfest, Valentines Ball and the Red, White and Blue Golf Tournament. Learn about other ways of contributing to the work of the Humane Society of St. Thomas by visiting www.hsstt.com.
BoltNagi encourages its attorneys to participate actively in non-profit organizations that benefit the community at large.
 

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.