Publications and News

Frantz Ward, ALFA International member firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is recognized in sixteen practice areas in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms” list.

ALFA International is proud to announce its 2019 award winners: Elaine Moss of Brown & James, P.C. law firm in St. Louis, Missouri, received the Nate Fishbach Service Award in recognition of her outstanding individual contribution to ALFA International. McCandlish Holton of Richmond, Virginia was given the Member Firm Contribution Award in recognition of the firm’s outstanding involvement with ALFA International.

ALFA International, the global legal network, is proud to announce the elevation of four new dynamic and talented attorneys to its Board of Directors. ALFA International extends its gratitude to the outgoing board members for their efforts in the network’s continued growth.

Morgan & Morgan acted as counsel to Grupo Mercantil in connection with the registration of 104,760,961 common shares of its Panamanian holding Mercantil Servicios Financieros Internacional, S.A. with the Superintendency of Capital Markets of Panama for its negotiation in the secondary market, shares that have been also listed on the Panama Stock Exchange since August 22, 2019.

Morgan & Morgan acted as counsel to Cirsa Enterprises S.L.U. in connection with the offering of €490,000,000 senior secured notes due 2025 with a floating interest rate of three-month EURIBOR (subject to a 0% floor) plus 362.5 basis points per year, reset quarterly, issued by Cirsa Finance International S.à.r.l., and to be guaranteed by the Cirsa Enterprises S.L.U. and, among others, Gaming & Services de Panama, S.A.

Kochhar & Co. provides an update on current developments in the Companies Act, 2013 for July-August 2019.

In Spain, ownership is evidenced by a title deed (Property deed) signed before a Spanish Notary Public and registered with the corresponding Land Register to the location of the Property. Registration itself is the essential feature to prove ownership.

Employers and their attorneys must be mindful of the laws of the state or states in which they operate, while ensuring compliance with any applicable federal laws or regulations regarding the use of marijuana.

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.

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.

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.