This information update summarizes public safety interest arbitration awards that have been issued since November 2014 when our third update appeared. (For prior editions, visit https://www.dkattorneys.com/publications.cfm?st_id=192.) Readers are encouraged to read the entire award for a complete understanding of each case. (See:...
By D|K's School and Higher Education Law Team Last week, Governor Scott Walker signed five (5) education-related bills (below) that will impact Wisconsin school districts in a variety of ways. A number of the changes will provide more efficient school operations. School districts should review and revise their policies, procedures and practices...
On June 30, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) released a 295-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), seeking public comment on proposed rules amending the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (FLSA’s) “white collar” overtime regulations. The proposed changes will nearly double the salary exemption floor for full-time salaried employees and lay...
D&K's Real Estate practice chair, Joseph E. Tierney, recently sat down with D. Phillip Corbin of J. F. Ahern and Craig Coursin of MSI General Corporation to discuss the benefits of what's trending within design-build. Their commentary was featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal's Table of Experts column on June 12, 2015. Why use a...
In the wake of recent pro-insurance company rulings in Wisconsin courts, businesses and their owners will need to proceed with extra caution when asking their insurance company to defend lawsuits that may arise from their business dealings. While many suits are typically covered under a policy, all too often an insurance company disputes...
By Mark G. Kmiecik Public sector and tax-exempt employers in Wisconsin should be aware that the IRS appears to be targeting section 403(b) plans for examination. Prior to and during recent IRS examinations of 403(b) plans in the state, we have learned that the audit trigger more than once was the IRS’s review of the employers’ websites for...
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled on June 4, 2015 that notes from an investigation by school district officials into alleged hazing and sexual abuse within its wrestling program were not records and therefore not subject to disclosure under the public records law. The Voice of Wisconsin Rapids, LLC v. Wisconsin Rapids Public School District,...
Many of us are familiar with the basic S-corporation mantra – avoid the so-called double taxation of regular C-corporations, all while maintaining the limited liability and practical advantages of a corporation. While many business owners engage in detailed planning to ensure compliance with Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code in order to...
By James E. Braza In American litigation, all parties are responsible for paying their own litigation expenses (including attorneys’ and experts’ fees) regardless of the outcome of a case. This “pay your own way” rule applies with equal force to claims arising on construction projects, subject to narrow exceptions. For example, a party who...
By James E. Braza One of the most important strategic approaches in modern day construction contract negotiation is leveraging the extent to which the parties will agree to limitations upon certain liabilities. While such limitations fall into a number of different categories, one of the most common is the mutual waiver of consequential damages....
