Introduced to Congress in June, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act advanced toward a floor vote in the House of Representatives in July. If passed, it will be the first comprehensive federal data privacy law in the U.S. — our equivalent to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. The proposed legislation was considered the biggest breakthrough to … [More]
Coming Soon: A Nationwide Ban on Noncompete Agreements?
On January 8, the Federal Trade Commission published a proposal to ban the use of noncompete agreements for most workers nationwide. The proposed rule, entitled the Non-Compete Clause Rule, would prohibit all employers — regardless of size — from imposing covenants not to compete on employees and independent contractors, with no carve-out available that would permit the use of … [More]
Arizona-Based Modern Law Firm Launches, Names Managing Partner
Axiom formally launched Axiom Advice & Counsel (AA&C), an Arizona-based law firm, continuing a twenty-plus year track record of legal services innovation. The announcement follows the Arizona Supreme Court's decision to grant AA&C an alternative business structure license that allows the Axiom subsidiary to operate as a law firm. While Axiom will continue offering … [More]
Manning Kass Promotes Kristine Rizzo to Managing Attorney of Phoenix Office
Top-tier full-service national law firm Manning Kass announced the promotion of Kristine Rizzo to Managing Attorney of its Phoenix, AZ. office. The appointment reflects Manning Kass’ commitment to a people-first talent strategy and also demonstrates how the firm has embedded diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) as part of its identity and culture. Rizzo joined the firm … [More]
How to Respond to an EPA or State Enforcement Action
Environmental laws and regulations are numerous and complicated. They include the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (aka Superfund) — to name just a few. These laws and associated regulations are enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and the … [More]
Valley Law Firm Expands into California
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced its combination with Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP, a premier management-side labor and employment law firm in California, effective January 1, 2023. The expansion establishes Quarles’ presence in California – bringing its national footprint to more than 500 attorneys across 11 U.S. offices – and … [More]
Valley Law Firm Gives to Childhood Education and Families
Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that the Snell & Wilmer Charitable Foundation has contributed to two Phoenix organizations in 2022. The firm granted funds to Valley of the Sun United Way for early childhood educational initiatives. Additionally, the firm granted funds to UPWARD for Children and Families, a partner agency of Valley of the Sun United Way. These … [More]
Valley Law Firm Unveils New Branding and Website
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today the launch of a state-of-the-art website as it unveils a new brand. The updates mark the beginning of a new chapter for Quarles, while honoring its 130-year history. The firm has more than doubled in size since celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1992, and now boasts a team of approximately 480 attorneys … [More]
Tighten Contracts ahead of Supply Chain Delays
Between pandemic effects, the economy, the possibility of a railroad strike and a shortage of chassis in the trucking industry, businesses are likely to experience continued supply chain issues impacting their ability to deliver products and services on time and within budget. Because delays put them at risk for breach of contract, companies who supply goods and services — … [More]
Changes in Joint Employment Relations under NLRB
On September 6, 2022, the National Labor Relations Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the definition of joint-employment relationships under the National Labor Relations Act. The proposed rule would relax the standard for determining when a joint-employment relationship exists, thus allowing more workers to claim an employment relationship with their direct … [More]
Legal Challenges in These Arizona Boom Times
Over the last 40 years, Arizona has grown rapidly and has become increasingly attractive for businesses and individuals. While this growth has been steady and predictable given a variety of factors such as weather, economics and affordable housing, the arrival of COVID accelerated such growth. In turn, Arizona has revealed itself as a thriving high-tech hub with a proficient … [More]
Major Valley Law Firm Moves Phoenix Office to CityScape
Snell & Wilmer announced that it has relocated its Phoenix office from the Arizona Center to CityScape at One East Washington Street, Suite 2700, now occupying a total of 120,000-square-feet, spanning five floors. “As we planned for the firm’s future, we were looking for a vibrant location that would be attractive to our clients, support our collaborative culture, and … [More]
Environmental Health & Safety Considerations for Business Operations
Comprehensive U.S. laws to protect the environment and worker health and safety (collectively EHS laws) date from the 1970s and 1980s, with numerous state or industry-specific antecedents. Most of those original laws have since been amended or expanded in the 1990s and beyond, the most recent being the 2016 revision to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA, which, despite its … [More]
First-of-Its-Kind Partnership to Create Access to Legal Services
Scout Law Group, a nationally recognized law firm based in Arizona, announced a new partnership with Miami-based investment firm, 777 Partners, that will instantly create one of the most well-funded plaintiffs’ law firms in the country dedicated to creating access to legal services. In 2021, Arizona became the first state in the country to permit non-lawyer ownership of law … [More]
COVID Continues to Infect Business
Exigencies of workplace and workforce needs and relationships persist even as restrictions ease from the height of the pandemic. Susan Trujillo speaks to healthcare and COVID safety, with guidance for employers and regulatory response, and Eric Johnson discusses legal ramifications of and regulatory considerations on remote and hybrid work — including Arizona-specific … [More]
National Law Firm Opens Scottsdale Location, First in Arizona
In a move to service existing Arizona-based clients as well as capture new business in one of the fastest growing markets in the United States, Rutan & Tucker LLP announced the opening of an office in Scottsdale, Arizona. The office, the Firm’s first in Arizona, will be managed by Hani Z. Sayed, the Department Head of Rutan’s Intellectual Property Section. Mr. Sayed has … [More]
Increased Debt Limits for Both Subchapter V and Chapter 13 Cases
The Small Business Reorganization Act, commonly referred to as “Subchapter V,” is a streamlined, flexible process for small businesses to reorganize in bankruptcy. Subchapter V is a type of Chapter 11 case designed for debtors (an entity or individual) engaged in business where at least half their total debt is business related. Less procedurally complex than a traditional … [More]
