Q: My neighbor filed a site plan application with our town’s planning board, which is considering the application at its next public hearing. Will the planning board allow me to
Know the Law: What Are My Rights to Challenge a Site Plan Application?
LLCs and Tax Reduction: What Members Can Do to Avoid Social Security and Medicare Taxes?
No one likes to pay federal income taxes, but for many members of multi-member LLCs, the self-employment tax and the Medicare tax on their income from their LLCs can be
Know the Law: Make Sure Business’ Social Media Marketing is Legal
Published in the Union Leader (11/20/2017) Q: My business wants positive online customer reviews and endorsements on social media websites like Facebook, Instagram and Yelp. To get these, my business
New Law Changes Treatment of Trust Interest in Divorce
Your divorce client advises you that her parents, who are well off, have likely provided for her in their trusts and she is concerned that her husband may share in
Truth in Tuition Lending: Understanding Compliance with TILA (NBOA’s Net Assets, November 2017)
The federal Truth in Lending Act and its sci-fi-sounding Regulation Z (which implements the statute) require that borrowers of consumer credit receive written information about the terms of a loan
As It Turns Out, New Sources of Energy Are Blowing in the Wind
There is growing recognition that New England’s energy costs are much higher than neighboring parts of the country. To a large extent, these high costs are due to the combination
What Exactly Does It Mean to Give a Robot Citizenship?
It’s complicated. On Oct. 25, at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia granted citizenship to Sophia, a robot created by Hanson Robotics. Reactions were appropriately sarcastic and
Know the Law: Does Sister Have Mom’s Best Interest in Mind?
Published in the Union Leader (11/6/2017) Q: My elderly mother signed a document naming my sister as power of attorney, but I’m not sure my sister is looking out for
It’s Time to Resuscitate Trial by Jury
There has been a lot of ink spilled decrying the public’s lack of appreciation for civics education and the finer points of our democracy generally. We as lawyers might take
Know the Law: Protect Your Company From Waste Liability
Q. My company is purchasing real estate, and we are concerned there may be existing environmental contamination on the property. What steps can we take to protect ourselves from liability?
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Expand Workplace Protections for Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers in Massachusetts
Published by the MA Society of CPAs (9/22/2017) This summer, Governor Baker signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) into law, which guarantees greater protections for pregnant women and nursing
Know the Law: Behavior Outside the Workplace is Hard to Regulate
Published in the Union Leader (10/9/2017) Q. I have watched with interest the public debate about football players kneeling during the national anthem. I have also heard a lot of
Financing of Not-for-Profit Organizations and Securities Laws
Not-for-profit organizations are in some ways financed much like business organizations. Frequently, not-for-profit organizations borrow money and grant security interests in their property. They also may generate revenue by charging
Know the Law: Beyond Equifax – Protect Yourself
Q. What should I do to protect myself in light of breaches like Equifax? A. Equifax is only the most recent in a string of breaches that compromise the personal
Understanding Certificates of Insurance
Co-authored by Christine O’Brien, a third-year student at Northeastern University School of Law. Imagine your contractor causes significant property damage. You are provided a certificate of insurance (“COI”) listing you
Know the Law: Instagram Post Cause for Firing?
Published in the Union Leader (9/25/2017) Q: One of my at-will employees, angry about not receiving a promotion, just posted a photo and nasty rant on Instagram about a coworker