Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Board of Alliance Title & Trust Company, LLC, one of the largest and most comprehensive title insurance agencies in the United States Virgin Islands, announced the appointment Tuesday of its new President, Christopher R. Johnson.  “Johnson, an attorney  who was recently working with the law firm of Morgan, Lewis, and  Bockius in Philadelphia brings significant experience in real estate and title insurance to Alliance.” Bolt said.  “In addition to being a partner in his own title company, Chris has a  thorough knowledge of real estate, real estate development and finance and the title industry.  He will be an invaluable asset to our continuing to grow Alliance Title & Trust Company.”

 

Continue Reading Alliance Title & Trust Company Adds New Staff

Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC, announced on Monday that Carl R. Williams, formerly with the Law Offices of Michael Dunston, would be joining the firm to Chair its Real Estate and Estate Planning Practice Group.

"Carl has served the real estate needs of his clients for a number of years.  We look forward to joining our practice group and building upon one of the best real estate practice groups in the Virgin Islands." Bolt said.  "In addition, Carl will be initiating a new key practice group focused on estate planning."

Asset protection in the Virgin Islands is a new area.  The Virgin Islands Bar Association is currently reviewing the trust laws to make them more user friendly.  "We hope to offer the best of on shore and the best of off shore." Bolt said.

Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC, addressed the Annual Meeting of the Network of Leading Law Firms at their Annual Meeting in New York this past week.  Bolt explained the Virgin Islands Economic Development Program that allows taxpayers to pay only 10% of their federal income tax liability and no other state or federal taxes.

"The IRS’s recent tax opinion, IRS Tax Opinion 76-2006, is a green light for the software industry," Bolt told the international group of attorneys.  "The IRS has said if you are a software developer and establish your operations in the United States Virgin Islands, you can exempt your sale of software anywhere in the world.  In addition, if you place your servers in the Territory and customers download your software or utlize your programs throughout the world, that income is exempt too." Bolt said.  "It is a great undiscovered program just waiting to be tapped."

Continue Reading International Lawyers Learn of Virgin Islands EDC Program

Monica M. Howard, an attorney in the Government Relations Practice Group at Tom Bolt & Associates, PC, recently returned from Washington, DC where she had the opportunity to meet with various national goverment leaders.  Attorney Howard was attending the Annual Government Relations School sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives.  While in Washington, she also received a special invitation to attend the the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser at Union Station’s Columbia Hall.

While in Washington, Attorney Howard met Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel.  "I was particular impressed with Chairman Rangel," Howard noted.  "He is an ardent supporter of the Virgin Islands.  I was happy that I was able to express the Territory’s appreciation for his advocating on behalf of the Territory."

Continue Reading St. Thomas Attorney Meets with National Leaders

Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. announced Saturday at the Annual Meeting of the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of REALTORS at Caneel Bay on St. John that President Bush had signed a bill that had been stalled in the U.S. Congress that would allow the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to implement special assessment rates for real property tax bills.

Tom Bolt, General Counsel for VITAR explained to the group that previously the federal court had ruled that the local goverment did not have the authority to provide special assessment rates.  "This put homestead, veterans, senior citizens, and disabled persons assessment rates in jeopardy." Bolt explained.  "With the new law in place, these rates are now authorized by law." Attorney Bolt explained. 

Continue Reading President Bush Signs Virgin Islands Property Tax Bill

Tom Bolt, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for the St. Thomas Corps announced on Friday, that the Commissioner Lawrence Moretz, Eastern Territory Commander for the Salvation Army, has appointed a six member National Assessment Team to review Virgin Islands operations.  "Commissioner Moretz upon meeting with Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh during the St. Thomas Corps’ recent 90th Anniversary Celebration committed to building and reinforcing existing relations with the Government of the Virgin Islands." Bolt said.

"I believe the National Assessment Team is the first step in the Salvation Army returning to the forefront in providing social services in the Virgin Islands.  With Governor deJongh promoting private public partnerships the time is right for the Salvation Army to review the needs of our island community and determine where we may serve best." Bolt concluded.

Continue Reading Salvation Army Appoints Virgin Islands Assessment Team

 Yesterday, in its last business decision of the term, the Supreme Court overruled a nearly century-old rule treating resale price maintenance agreements as per se violations of the antitrust laws. In Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc., v. PSKS, Inc., a 5-4 decision written by Justice Kennedy, the Court ruled that minimum resale price maintenance agreements—agreements between manufacturers and distributors to resell a product at or above a set price—will now be examined under the “rule of reason,” a method of analysis that weighs procompetitive benefits against anticompetitive effects. In reaching this result, the Court expressly overruled its 1911 decision in Dr. Miles Medical Co. v. John D. Park & Sons.

"This new ruling could have a tremendous impact on Virgin Islands businesses particularly in the liquor and cosmetics industry."  Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney at Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. noted.  "Many manufacturers have controlled enforced strict pricing of products in the liquor and cosmetics that are widely sold in the United States Virgin Islands and has been the subject to a subtantial amount of litigation.  With the Leegin decision, these pricing controls will need to be reviewed."
 

Continue Reading Supreme Court Case Affects Virgin Islands Businesses

In a gathering of family, friends and well-wishers, St. Thomas attorney Tom Bolt announced his candidacy for the Virgin Islands 5th Constitutional Convention at a Memorial Day rally on St. Thomas.  Bolt who has served as Counsel to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands urged the supporters to "go to the polls and exercise their right to vote" at the Tuesday, June 12th Special Election.  Virgin Islands voters in each district will elect 13 district delegates and 4 at large delegates.  Of the 13 delegates from the St. Thomas-St. John district, 2 must be from the island of St. John.  Half of the at large delegates must reside in the St. Thomas-St. John district and half must reside in the district of St. Croix.

"The Virgin Islands is taking another step toward self-governance with the election of the 5th Constitutional Convention." Bolt said.  "Every U.S. state and territory has its own constitution other than Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  It is fundamental to our future governance that people of the Virgin Islands approve our own constitution."

Continue Reading St. Thomas Attorney Announces Candidacy for Constitutional Convention

The Salvation Army is celebrating its 90th anniversary in St. Thomas with several events this weekend, including an Annual Civic Gala “honoring persons and institutions who have invested their talents and resources helping others in the community”, said Captain Ricardo Fernandez, Divisional Commander for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

 

“We are truly honored to have this significant celebration here in St. Thomas.  We came 90 years ago and we will continue working within the Virgin Islands, providing hope to those in need, helping our children, families, elders and homeless. Our Territorial Commaders, Lawrence and Nancy Moretz, are joining us in St. Thomas as well as our official band, The Pendel Brass Band from Pennsylvania, and over 50 officers are here, as part of our commitment to the Virgin Islands community”, said Fernandez.

 

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Continue Reading Salvation Army St. Thomas Corps Kicksoff Anniversary

Virgin Islands Attorney Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of the St. Thomas firm of Tom Bolt & Associates, PC, has been called back into the fray between various legal organizations to mediate a dispute relative to national standards for legal representation of children.  In August 2006, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws adopted the "Uniform Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Custody Proceedings Act".  NCCUSL, the 115 year old state governmental organization, provides states and territories with non-partisan legislation in critical areas of the law.  Bolt has been a member of NCCUSL since 1988. Continue Reading Virgin Islands Attorney Mediates Child Representation Dispute