Articles

April 11, 2018

Political Contributions: Know Your Limits by Spencer Ritchie

In Mississippi, every year is an election year. This election year, however, is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in the state in decades. Many Mississippians will seek to play an active part in these elections by contributing to campaigns and political parties. Such contributions are subject to federal and state campaign finance laws. Below is a summary of major restrictions….

January 24, 2018

Employment Law Update: Workplace Sexual Harassment – January 2018

In the wake of recent sexual misconduct allegations against numerous public figures, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—the agency responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting workplace harassment—has reported a deluge of visits to its sexual harassment website. And the National Women’s Law Center—an organization that disseminates information about the legal definition of harassment and how to file charges with the EEOC—has seen a five-fold increase in the number of calls about sexual harassment. Many expect this increased awareness of improper sexual behavior will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of workplace sexual harassment claims.

October 16, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal Publishes Ritchie’s article on Mississippi Campaign Finance Laws

By: Spencer Ritchie Mississippi campaign finance laws are about to change, and it’s not just officeholders and candidates that need to be prepared for the changes. Businesses and other organizations that seek to participate in elections and ballot measures through political committees must also be ready…. read the full article here: http://msbusiness.com/2017/10/spencer-ritchie-changes-mississippi-campaign-finance-laws-affect-business-community/    

September 25, 2017

Lay-Offs Down, EEOC Charges Up

Current labor department statistics reflect a steady decrease in layoffs since the 2007-2009 recession. While layoffs are down, charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) are steadily going up. Nationally, the number of charges has increased from 75,768 in 2016 to 91,503 in 2016. As for the specific type of charge, retaliation claims currently top the national list at 42,018 followed by race claims at 32,309.

December 2, 2016

“Direct-to-Consumer 3D Printing Protection,” by Fyke, McGuffey, & Smith Published by DRI

The potential for 3D printing, formally known as additive manufacturing, to forever change traditional manufacturing processes has been well documented. Once merely a hobbyist’s niche, 3D printing has opened the door for individuals and businesses to “manufacture” products, ranging from replacement cabinet hardware to component car parts, from the comfort of their own homes or on-site in an office, simply by downloading computer-aided design (CAD) files and clicking “print.”

October 31, 2016

“In Most States, Bankruptcy Trust Information Remains Elusive” by Jennifer Studebaker, guest writer for KCIC Blog

Bankruptcy trust transparency, or lack thereof, is one of the most hotly contested issues in asbestos litigation today. Repeated attempts at federal legislation have not been successful. However, legislatures in Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, and Utah have enacted laws that entitle defendants to information regarding plaintiffs’ bankruptcy trust submissions.