By Dr Robin Leon Fritz, FPS
I. INTRODUCTION
Law firms today are businesses operating in a highly fragmented and intensely competitive environment. The market for legal services is a transparent one. Those interested in this market, potential future developments in the market and what firms need to do to successfully position themselves will find a large number of suitable publications. There is also a broad selection of consulting firms and training programs.
By Katharine Batista, Offit Kurman
The Fourth Circuit has stated that its ‘cases have sought to distinguish between those situations that indeed present serious impediments to minority and female workers and those situations when human nature simply is not at its best.’ Ziskie v. Mineta, 547 F.3d 220 (4th Cir. 2008). If the highest federal courts struggle with the distinction, it’s not one you should take on after simply hearing a brief description of the alleged harassment.
By David Greber, Offit Kurman
Businesses often use trademarks or service marks to market products or services that they offer. How do these businesses avoid being sued for infringing other ‘marks’ and prevent other businesses from using confusingly similar marks?
By Andrew Lacey and Danyal Ibrahim, McCabes Lawyers Pty Limited
Preliminary agreements are common precursors to complex commercial contracts, and take the form of documents such as heads of agreement, letters of intent and memoranda of understanding, to name a few. They are also used in the context of conveyancing of properties, sale of business and supply of goods or services.
By Sanja Djukic and Tijana Milacic, Law Firm Sajic
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a set of laws has been adopted in the last couple of years, bringing this legislation closer to the EU legislation. In that spirit the new Labour Law and the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination have been adopted, since this is one of the most sensitive areas due to the fact that it treats the rights of workers.
By Steve Shane, Offit Kurman
Question: How do I choose the right executor to manage my estate?
By Bethan Boscher, Morrison Kent
New Zealand’s current trust law was enacted over 60 years ago. Like many other trust laws, few statutory updates have been made to it, with the trust law instead being developed through the Courts and common law. However, New Zealand trust law is in need of a revamp and a new trustee act is currently progressing through parliament, anticipated to be introduced over the next year. This new law is expected to bring welcome clarity for trustees, resulting in one of the most up-to-date trust laws globally, which is fundamental to the best administration of New Zealand trusts.
By Erin Kidd, McCabes
Employers need to understand the distinction between legitimate unpaid internships, which offer genuine work experience, and sham internships that exploit cheap (or free) labour, to ensure they do not fall foul of Australia’s workplace laws.
By Pedro Ackel and Alessandra D’Elia, WFaria Advogados
According to the Federal Brazilian Government Decree No. 8.373/2014, companies are enforced to declare to the Brazilian Federal Revenue Office all of its data regarding labor, social security and payroll taxations by way of the new system named as "eSocial".
By Herbert Fineberg, Offit Kurman
One of the most commonly asked questions we receive as estate and financial planners is how to make gifts to your children and grandchildren for education or other purposes. In December, everyone is focused on making gifts before year-end. Some of the most valuable tools for gifting include using items such as IRAs, Roth IRAs, 529 Plans and irrevocable trusts to hold gifts. All of the foregoing can be used for education.
