As of today, we are able to provide legal services to ARAG insurance members as well as continuing to work with Legal Resources insurance members as a network firm in accordance with their plans.
Welcome, ARAG Insurance Members!
Year 5: We Beat The Statistic!
The big new announcement for this year is something that probably should’ve already been a thing this whole time. We’re moving into video. Well, not so much “moving” as “including.” You may have noticed the blog has been getting less content. We want to make sure we’re appealing to those who want to consume the written word as well as the spoken word. We’ll be looking into unique blog posts that you can only find written, but also turning our (soon-to-exist) video works into blog posts as well. We hope you stay tuned to our social channels and we look forward to serving you in an entirely new medium.
NFT's: A Contract Law Perspective
Now, what about the example of poorly drafted terms and conditions? Going back to the privity of contract example involving a private golf club: What if now the NFT provided access to a person (like a famous celebrity who is selling an NFT that lets the buyer hang out with them for a day)? If the NFT is sold, does the celebrity now have the hang out with the new Buyer? Maybe. If they don’t, then it could be a breach of contract or fraud.
Four Years Old Now!
Finally: A Vaccine Mandate!
Key Objectives When Negotiating a Contract
Good contract negotiation requires a clear understanding of a company’s key objectives in making a contract. Of course, this is easier said than done. After all, contracts can involve a transaction, as is the case in a sale, or a relationship, like employment. But whatever type of contract you’re negotiating, it’s crucial that you know what you want, what the other party wants, and know both you and the other party’s BATNAs (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement).
Welcome, Legal Resources Insurance Members!
As of today, we are able to provide legal services to Legal Resources insurance members as a referral firm in accordance with their plans.
Shop Small® Movement
We're Three Years Old Now!
The world has changed so much since our last birthday. In firm news, we finally did open up our patent law branch. We are so thrilled to begin working with inventors to help them realize their vision and share their wonderous ideas with the world. I remember watching Shark Tank back in high school and being amazed by all the fantastic inventions and always hearing “but do you have a patent?” I’m beyond excited to help inventors answer “yes” to that question. Utility, design, and plant patents are our newest venture and we hope you’ll think of us when you’re ready to protect your ingenuity!
Can You Require Employees to Get Vaccinated Against SARS-CoV-2?
With news of a vaccine on the horizon, many workplaces are wondering whether they can make their employees get vaccinated. Of course, vaccines are fantastic so it makes sense that employers want to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We put together a quick post explaining how requiring employees to get vaccinated may not be as easy as you think.
Can a COVID-positive Parent Force Child Visitation?
I want to discuss an issue that plagued a colleague of mine. Two parents had an interim order where the mother had primary custody and the dad had visitation every other weekend. The dad told the mom that he was diagnosed with COVID-19, but still wants visitation. As absurd as this may (and should) sound to all of you, this ACTUALLY happened. To go even further, the dad threatened to file contempt if the mom didn’t comply. Dad is still COVID positive. So, what is the mom to do?!
A Helpful Guide to Boilerplate Clauses
We’ve all signed contracts, but how many of you have signed a contract and read every last word, and then understood every last word? Probably not most of you. Even though a lot of clauses are boilerplate clauses (a term widely used to mean standard or commonplace clauses) , it’s still important to know what they cover and to have some grasp of what those standard terms mean. If you’re in the situation where you sign a contract and have a disagreement with the other party to the contract, you’ll want to make sure you understand how boilerplate clauses may impact your case. There are numerous boilerplate clauses one might come across including dispute resolution, indemnification, assignment, force majeure, no waiver, merger, limitation of damages, warranty, confidentiality, severability, termination, and much more.
"Ban the Box" in Effect in Maryland
Lots of COVID-19 blog posts focusing on staying home and how contractors can get through this pandemic, but there is another unrelated law that has recently gone into effect that businesses need to be paying attention to as well when they start rehiring after COVID-19 is long behind us: The “Ban the Box” Act. “Ban the Box” was enacted to prevent employers, with 15 or more full-time employees, from asking job applicants about their criminal history until the applicant’s first in-person interview. This applies to any work for pay and any form of vocational or educational training, with or without pay. This includes, among others, contractual, temporary, seasonal, or contingent work as well as vocational or educational training with or without pay.
How Contractors Need to Adapt to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Okay, contractors! Yesterday, I made sure to call out the construction industry as a prime example of an industry vulnerable to COVID-19 lawsuits. Today, let’s see how we can combat this issue.
Stay Home or Get Sued for Exposing People to SARS-CoV-2!
In this time of need where we should all be coming together, there are still circumstances that arise where a person needs to be made whole due to the careless and reckless behavior of another. Typically, suing someone for getting you sick requires proving that specifically that person was the cause of your illness AND that they were negligent or intentional in their actions in getting you sick.
SAV Law Firm Turns Two!
How to Create a Parenting Plan with a Responsive Ex
Child custody cases are difficult for both parents, but many times, an agreement can be reached without having to get into the nasty name-calling or vitriol. We’re here to help whenever you need it. Feel free to contact us for more information or to set up a consultation by clicking here.
Fortnite is No Different Than Cocaine?
It’s 2019 and as we close in on 2020, we are still living in a world filled with hyperbole. Here’s the latest absurdity for your eyes. A Canadian law firm is going after the creators of Fortnite: Epic Games, Inc. on behalf of a ten year old. I’ll link to the firm’s pleading below (as well as the translated version I read). The translated version makes it seem like the Applicant is alleging that Fornite promotes gambling to children. Of course, there aren’t any loot box mechanics in Fortnite so it’s unclear what sort of gambling is going on. This is just one example of quite a few translation issues that may come up when reading through it. It actually translates to saying that Fortnite is developed to be so addictive that it creates dopamine releases in the brain in a pattern similar to cocaine.
Spider-Man: Far From Homeless
It’s over 150 pages, but it’s a fascinating read for anyone who is into the law, film, or just Spider-Man. This contract, like every contract should, gets into the nitty-gritty of what they are allowed to do with the character(s), theme park representation, how logos must be displayed, whether end credits are to be used in calculating whether a 78 minute run-time was achieved, LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. integration, video game rights, depicting characters on baseballs and basketballs, McDonald’s Corporation promotions, Spider-Man popcorn oil, etc.
FaceApp: Russians Own Your Face?
You gave FaceApp permission to use your photo. FOREVER. You can’t revoke that permission. You can’t get paid if and when they use your photo. They can license that photo to anyone, any company, or any government they want without your permission (and they can get paid for that). They can edit your photo without your permission and then use that as they see fit as well.
