Leech Tishman

On Tuesday, January 19, Leech Tishman Estates & Trusts attorney Melanie E. Cuddyre will be speaking at a Celesq Webinar entitled, ‘Estate Planning Opportunities with 20/20 Vision’: The Impact of the Federal Election on Existing Estate Plans. This program will be recorded and available for self-study. For more information, click here: https://www.leechtishman.com//leech-tishman-estate-trusts/

In a decision posted today (Vazquez v. Jan-Pro Franchising International, Inc. (2021) ___Cal.5th ___), the California Supreme Court declared its decision to applying the very restrictive A-B-C test to determine if someone is an independent contractor for wage and hour purposes (Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903) will be given retroactive effect. As to any matter not final as of the date of the Dynamex decision, the relevant statute of limita...tions is four (4) years prior to the filing of the lawsuit. Businesses who still utilize independent contractors in California should, once again, review their agreements, how work is actually performed, and potential exposure and then make appropriate changes. Leech Tishman National Employment & Labor Chair Philip A. Toomey discusses this decision in a recent client alert: https://www.leechtishman.com//retroactive-application-of-/

Leech Tishman Employment & Labor Practice Group Partner Fadi K. Rasheed recently participated in a ProLaw CLE entitled, "California’s Ever-Evolving Laws for App-Based Transportation and Delivery Companies." This program can be accessed On-Demand by visiting this link: https://prolawcle.com//californias-ever-evolving-laws-app/

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the 2021 Federal estate and gift tax exclusion amount. For calendar year 2021, the exclusion amount is $11.7 million per individual, increased from the 2020 exclusion amount of $11.58 million. A married couple, through proper estate planning techniques or the use of portability, will have a combined $23.4 million exclusion. Leech Tishman Estates & Trusts Attorney Alexander J. Gase discusses this update in more detail here: https://www.leechtishman.com//irs-increases-estate-and-gi/

2021 brings with it new regulations for cannabidiol (CBD) product manufacturers. CBD manufacturers will now have to comply with California’s Prop 65, requiring health warning labels for all cannabis products sold in California, including hemp-derived CBD products as well as non-combustible products, such as edibles, topicals and vapor (vape) products. Leech Tishman Cannabis Co-Chair/Partner Christopher Gonzalez and Environmental Partner Steven Taber discuss this issue in a recent client alert: https://www.leechtishman.com//dont-get-caught-with-your-l/

As COVID-19 cases spike again, the hospitality, restaurant and bar industry continues to be affected in myriad ways. It can be challenging to wade through the variety of guidance aimed at the industry. On Thursday, November 19, join Leech Tishman attorneys Mike Sampson, Fadi Rasheed, Steve Irwin, Jennifer Sackett Pohlenz, Pete Fuscaldo & Lisa Alexis Jones, along with Charlie Caputo of Caputo Law Office, for a one-hour webinar on critical legal issues affecting the industry s...uch as orders/guidance, legislative channels to address/reform orders, enforcement actions, available grants/financial resources, and COVID-19 employment issues and insurance considerations. Read more here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render

2020 has been a year full of unprecedented circumstances. Legislation and a federal election have resulted in significant changes for existing estate plans and created unique planning opportunities. The SECURE Act of 2020 along with upcoming changes to the federal estate and gift tax exclusion present a good opportunity to evaluate your existing estate plan. Estates & Trusts Practice Group attorney Melanie E. Cuddyre discusses these provisions in a recent client alert. ... Read more here: https://www.leechtishman.com//estate-planning-opportuniti/

Leech Tishman Employment & Labor Partner Sally Griffith Cimini will be presenting a seminar on How to Develop Recognized Expertise as part of Leech Tishman’s Fall Employment & Labor Group Offsite Retreat on Monday, November 16. During this seminar, attendees will learn about professional development activities they can engage in to achieve recognition as a nationally recognized expert in their field of specialization. More information on this seminar, including registrati...on information, can be found at: https://www.leechtishman.com//leech-tishman-partner-sally/ See more

Leech Tishman is pleased to announce the addition of a new attorney to the firm, Alexander J. Gase. Gase joins the firm as an Associate in the Estates & Trusts and Corporate Practice Groups. Gase is based in the Pittsburgh office where he primarily focuses his practice on the drafting of wills, trusts, and gift tax returns, as well as assisting in general corporate & tax matters. Read more here: https://www.leechtishman.com//leech-tishman-welcomes-alex/

Leech Tishman Employment & Labor Partner Lisa Alexis Jones will be presenting a seminar on Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Workplace as part of Leech Tishman’s Fall Employment & Labor Group Offsite Retreat on Monday, November 16. During this seminar, attendees will learn about general issues involving diversity & inclusion in the workplace, how implicit/unconscious bias undermines diversity in the workplace, how to identify unconscious bias, benefits and business ration...ale for diversity in the legal workplace, risks associated with implicit bias in the legal workplace, and disrupting barriers to diversity and inclusion/managing resistance. More information on this seminar, including registration information, can be found at: https://www.leechtishman.com//leech-tishman-partner-lisa-/