Publications and News

At the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Japan Law Awards 2019, Hiroo Atsumi (Partner) was chosen as Managing Partner of the Year, and the Firm was chosen as Overseas Practice Law Firm of the Year.

Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A. attorneys Jeff Peairs and Andy Douberly achieved defense verdicts against two Plaintiffs, both claiming injuries as a result of a clear liability, rear-end motor vehicle accident in Manatee County, FL. Both Plaintiffs underwent cervical fusion surgeries and had no pre-existing history of neck complaints. Their combined medical bills were in excess of $500,000, and Plaintiffs asked for nearly $1,000,000 in damages from the jury. After a five day jury trial, the jury ruled that the subject accident was not the cause of the Plaintiffs' alleged injuries or any of their post-accident medical treatment.

There is a myriad of issues facing employers regarding substances in the workplace, policies and protocols, and testing concerns. Employees’ privacy, medical and recreational marijuana, safety, hiring, training, and employee discipline are just a few of the complex and nuanced topics to be considered. Notably, this article focuses on new legislation and its impact on testing in certain states.

On behalf of a proposed plaintiff class of nearly every Facebook user, the plaintiffs’ firm Outten & Golden sued a proposed defendant class of every employer who has posted recruiting ads on Facebook using age targeting limitations. This ongoing litigation raises fascinating and complex procedural and merits issues, like Rule 23 defendant class actions, ADEA applicant disparate impact theories, the juridical link doctrine, advertising claims, and more. There are lessons to be learned from those litigating the case on how to prepare for your own defense.

Employers with multistate offices or employees are often confronted with confusing and conflicting state laws protecting trade secrets and confidential information, as well as new and pending statutes governing non-competes and non-solicits. This article offers drafting tips, discuss consideration needed, and consider the impact of the federal Defend Against Trade Secrets Act. It also discusses practical steps that companies should be taking to protect their confidential information even before an employee leaves. Find out how to best address choice of law issues, California’s new statute that is a game changer on choice of law, and arbitration vs. court for the aftermath of injunctive relief. Finally, get practical advice for enforcing these covenants, including the all-important forensic examination.

This article discusses issues regarding removal of class/collective actions under CAFA, use of individual arbitration, PAGA overlap in California, discovery strategies and how best to avoid serial litigation.

Service animals are a recognized reasonable accommodation. Learn more about the differences between service and emotional support, comfort, and therapy animals, the laws that apply to these animals, the EEOC’s position on these animals, and how employers can deal with certain challenges that may occur when employees request or are permitted to bring these animals to their workplaces.

Explore anticipated changes and legal pitfalls associated with evolving technology, particularly the evolving technology already in place and likely to impact employers across the globe by 2025. Get best practices for compliance during a tenuous time and discuss strategies that companies on the “cutting edge” have tried with, and without fail.

One thing you can be certain of is that transition is fraught with legal danger if not planned correctly. This article offers key planning considerations and lessons learned from experience when your company finds itself facing potential transitions.

Corporate M&A is an ever-growing trend. Complex cross-border transactions require thorough preparation and comprehensive legal advice. This article gives insights on how to deal with challenges and risks when it comes to cross-border share and asset deal transactions comparing the different legal implications for both types. This is addressed from the HR perspective but also in regard to business and commercial issues and thereby shows a multidisciplinary and international approach.

More than 30 cities, counties, and states across the country require private employers to provide paid sick and safe leave to their employees, and there’s more on the way. Is it possible for an employer operating in multiple locations to draft a “one-sizefits-all” policy to comply with this patchwork of laws? Emerging trends, new laws on the horizon, judicial and legislative challenges, and business considerations force national employers to keep up with this rapidly developing area of law.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Every employer needs to have a plan to deal with these increasingly common claims. Find out about best practices at each level of dealing with Title VII claims: the initial investigation, the EEOC, and litigation (including discovery and trial).