Read about what's happening in the world of law and Thomas & Libowitz.

News

July 1, 2008: Current Employment Opportunities for Staff
Employment Opportunities for Staff

July 1, 2008: Current Employment Opportunities for Attorneys
Employment Oppertunities

March 3, 2008: Congratulations New Members of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.
Congratulations New Members of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.

February 27, 2008: Vasilios Peros Selected as an Ambassador of the Greater Baltimore Tech Council
Vasilios Peros Selected as an Ambassador of the Greater Baltimore Tech Council

January 4, 2008: Vasilios Peros Elected Treasurer of Maryland State Bar Association's Intellectual Property Section

January 4, 2008: Robert A. Snyder, Francis R. Laws and Barry D. Berman Recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers 2008
Robert A. Snyder, Francis R. Laws and Barry D. Berman Recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers 2008

September 20, 2007: Estate Planning for Retirement
Estate Planning for Retirement

September 13, 2007: Vasilios Peros Speaks at UMBC ACTiVATE Program
Vasilios Peros Speaks at UMBC ACTiVATE Program

July 26, 2007: Technology & Intellectual Property Expert Joins Thomas & Libowitz

May 17, 2007: Charles B. Jones, Esquire to Appear as Guest Speaker on Cent$-able Finance
Charles B. Jones, Esquire to Speak Concerning Estate Planning for Retirement

February 16, 2007: Thomas & Libowitz Assists Retired Baltimore Colts
Steven A. Thomas, Esquire & Charles B. Jones, Esquire assist in the creation of the Baltimore Football Club, Inc.

February 15, 2007: Healthy, Wealthy & Wise: Creating Good Financial Habits for 2007
Panel Presentation Held at Loyola College, Maryland

February 13, 2007: Louis J. Ebert and William L. Hallam Join Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.

January 2, 2007: Robert A. Snyder, Francis R. Laws and Barry D. Berman Recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers 2007
Robert A. Snyder, Francis R. Laws and Barry D. Berman Recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers 2007

November 15, 2006: Frank Laws to Speak at FLSA and Sexual Harassment Law Seminar Sponsored by ADP
Frank Laws, Chair of Thomas & Libowitz's Labor and Employment Law section, will be speaking at a seminar sponsored by ADP on issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act and sexual harassment.

September 27, 2006: Charles B. Jones Chosen as Lecturer at CLE Presentation, October 25, 2006
Mr. Jones will be lecturing on categories of exempt organizations and unrelated business income.

August 24, 2006: Chambers & Partners Recognizes Barry D. Berman
Barry Berman named as a notable practitioner in Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation.

August 15, 2006: Berman, Laws and Snyder Named as Maryland Super Lawyers
Thomas & Libowitz is proud to announce that Barry Berman, Frank Laws and Bob Snyder were named as Maryland super lawyers....

August 1, 2006: Steven A. Thomas Named as Member of Maryland's Legal Elite
Smart CEO Magazine named Steven A. Thomas as a member of Maryland's Legal Elite...

September 25, 2005: Former PBGC Assistant Chief Counsel Joins Growing Erisa Practice at Thomas & Libowitz
Baltimore-based Thomas and Libowitz, P.A., announced today that John Paliga has joined the firm's growing ERISA practice.

January 1, 2005: New Maryland Real Estate Tax
On May 26, 2004, Maryland substantially changed its estate tax, and it may mean more dollars out of your pocket...

Articles

November 18, 2008: Should we hold off on estate planning until the financial markets stabilize?
We were thinking about starting our estate planning, but with the financial markets so unsettled, should we hold off for now?

November 3, 2008: I signed a contract to buy a condominium, and now I cannot afford to go through with it.
I signed a contract to buy a condominium, and now I cannot afford to go through with it. The developer is threatening to sue me unless I close. Can the developer force me to buy the condominium?

September 23, 2008: Is it really great news when the value of your vacation home falls?
Is it really great news when the value of your vacation home falls?

September 9, 2008: What should be my goals and objectives for my estate planning?
What should be my goals and objectives for my estate planning?

September 9, 2008: The Collision of Licensing Provisions and Patent Law
The Collision of Licensing Provisions and Patent Law

August 8, 2008: Is smoking right outside the front door of an office building illegal?
Some of the other tenants in our office building smoke right outside the front door. It is unpleasant to walk through their smoke to get inside, and makes an overall unattractive appearance

August 8, 2008: Deferred Compensation Arrangements Must be Updated by December 31, 2008
Deferred Compensation Arrangements Must be Updated by December 31, 2008

August 8, 2008: §403(b) Plans: A New Universe
§403(b) Plans: A New Universe

August 8, 2008: Retirement Plans: Time for Another Look?
Retirement Plans: Time for Another Look?

August 8, 2008: Do You Have a Conflict of Interest Under Your ERISA Plan?
Do You Have a Conflict of Interest Under Your ERISA Plan?

July 21, 2008: Thomas & Libowitz Welcomes New Associate Matthew F. Penater
Matthew F. Penater Joins Thomas & Libowitz's Tax & Estates Departments

July 16, 2008: How do I even begin the process of estate planning, it seems overwhelming?
How do I even begin the process of estate planning, it seems overwhelming?

July 10, 2008: New law imposing transfer tax on the transfer of LLC membership
What is the effective date of the new law imposing transfer tax on the transfer of LLC membership interests?

June 27, 2008: I want to add my eldest child to the deed on my home in order to avoid probate. Is this a good idea?
I want to add my eldest child to the deed on my home in order to avoid probate. Is this a good idea?

June 19, 2008: Supreme Court Decision “Taxes” The Ability Of Debtors To Reorganize In Chapter 11
Supreme Court Decision “Taxes” The Ability Of Debtors To Reorganize In Chapter 11

June 5, 2008: Who Pays for Sewer Line Break Damage?
I am fighting with my homeowners insurance company about coverage for damage from a sewer line break. Isn't that type of damage typically covered?

May 29, 2008: Homeowners Association Wants to Amend Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.
My homeowners association wants to amend its Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.

May 19, 2008: Copying Videos and Information in Today's Technologically Advanced World
Copying Videos and Information in Today's Technologically Advanced World

April 13, 2008: Interest Rates and "GRATs"
Interest Rates and "GRATs"

February 28, 2008: The stock market has been rocked, can that be good news?
The stock market has been rocked, can that be good news?

February 27, 2008: The Winnie-the-Pooh War: At the Intersection of Intellectual Property Law and Estate Planning
The Winnie-the-Pooh War: At the Intersection of Intellectual Property Law and Estate Planning

February 26, 2008: Bequeathing Specific Property Dilemma.
If under your will you specifically leave property to a spouse, brother and sister and then leave the balance of your estate to your children,

February 26, 2008: My homeowners association wants to amend its Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.
My homeowners association wants to amend its Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.

January 4, 2008: Overhaul of Maryland's State Tax System and Rates

November 29, 2007: What Happened to the

November 19, 2007: Estate Planning: Part Two of a Three Part Series

November 2, 2007: My company?s lease contains a provision called ?Mutual Waiver of Subrogation.? What does this mean?

October 24, 2007: Estate Planning: Three Part Series

October 9, 2007: Maryland Follows the

September 20, 2007: What effects will the changes in the Kiddie tax have on my family in 2008?

September 7, 2007: New I-9 Regulations Take Effect 9/14/07
In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (?IRCA?)

August 16, 2007: Can I Put My Home in a Family Limited Partnership or Family LLC?

August 2, 2007: Highest Federal Maryland Court Decides That Employees Cannot Waive FMLA Claims

August 2, 2007: My Next Door Neighbors Oppose My Zoning Variance. What Now?

July 24, 2007: Is Senator Roth your new best friend?

June 29, 2007: Can My Father Avoid Probate on His House with a Life Estate Deed?

June 13, 2007: I'm just a 20 something single, do I need a will and why?

May 31, 2007: Real Property Laws Passed by the 2007 Maryland General Assembly

May 23, 2007: Can a By-Pass Trust be Funded with an IRA?
Can a By-Pass Trust be Funded with an IRA?

May 23, 2007: What Effect has the State and Federal Elections had on Your Estate Planning?
What Effect has the State and Federal Elections had on Your Estate Planning?

April 12, 2007: What Do We Need to Tell Our Workers About Their Retirement Plan Now?
Benefits Alert; April 2007

April 1, 2007: Special Needs Trusts ? An Estate Planning Tool
A Special Needs Trust is set up to protect dependents or others with ?special needs

April 1, 2007: Employer Policy Against Fraternization Violates NLRA
Many employers adopt rules prohibiting employees from entering into romantic relationships to protect themselves against sexual harassment, or gender discrimination, complaints.

March 2, 2007: Beware of Titling of UTMA and UGMA Accounts

February 21, 2007: What's Going on with Eminent Domain in Maryland These Days?

January 29, 2007: Can Employers Make Salary Deductions for Weather-Related Absences?
Recently, the Department of Labor (?DOL?) issued two opinion letters regarding weather-related absences involving employees who were exempt from overtime under Fair Labor Standards Act (?FLSA?), and w

January 29, 2007: Comparative vs. Contributory Negligence; Which Is Fairer?
Maryland has long struggled with the tension caused when one party injures another through a negligent act, where the injured party was also negligent.

January 24, 2007: Can a Homeowners Association Prevent a Homeowner from Making Certain Improvements?

January 9, 2007: Is Your Business Complying with Overtime Rules?
Recently, there has been a multitude of high-dollar penalties assessed against large companies (such as Walmart) for wage and hour violations.

January 5, 2007: Letter of Intent to Purchase Real Property
I signed a letter of intent to purchase real property, and understood it to be non-binding.

January 2, 2007: Section 529 Tuition Plan
I plan on making a big gift to a Section 529 tuition plan for my grandchildren in 2006.

December 7, 2006: Can The Offer Of Severance Benefits Constitute Retaliation?

December 7, 2006: Are Independent Contractors Ever Really Independent under the FLSA, and Who is their Employer?

November 29, 2006: Plan Now For Compliance with New EEO-1 Reporting Form

November 29, 2006: Military Leave Update

November 29, 2006: Supreme Court Sets New Standard For Retaliation Claims
Retaliation claims usually are treated more seriously than the underlying discrimination/harassment complaints by administrative agencies, courts, and juries.

November 28, 2006: Shifting Income to Minor Children

November 21, 2006: Can Minors Own Real Property?

November 8, 2006: NLRB Provides Guidelines for Determining Supervisory Status
The NLRB issued a trilogy of decisions which provides guidance and clarifies whether an individual is a supervisor under the NLRA.

September 8, 2006: Pension Protection Act of 2007 and Direct Charitable Contributions by Charles Jones
Does the Pension Protection Act of 2007 allows me to make a direct charitable contribution of my retirement assets without any income tax?

August 25, 2006: New Standard for Environment Site Assessments by John Wise
What is the new standard for Environment site assessements?

August 16, 2006: Severence Offer Linked to EEOC Charge is Retaliation, Court Rules
A federal district court in Maryland rules that Lockheed Martin Corp. unlawfully retaliated....

July 28, 2006: Legal Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks at a Private Residence by John Wise
What are the legal requirements for underground storage tanks at a private residence?

July 14, 2006: Comment on Custodial Accounts by Charles B. Jones
In 2006 a bill was passed and later signed by the Governor allowing for joint custodianship...

October 11, 2005: Are new home builders required to register in Maryland?
All home builders who build homes in Maryland, or who enter into contracts to sell new homes to consumers in Maryland...

October 11, 2005: My chief liquid asset is my IRA and I am in a second marriage.
I'd like it to be used for my second wife but when she dies, I'd like it to go to my children from my first marriage. Can I fund a trust for my wife and receive favorable tax treatment in my estate?

October 11, 2005: Estate Planning by Charles B. Jones, Esq.
Great unsung hero of the estate and gift planning tool box: The GRAT.

October 11, 2005: IRS Proposed Rules Regarding Treatment of Partnership Interests Issued for Services
The IRS recently set forth proposed regulations regarding the tax treatment of transactions in which a person or persons receive partnership interests in exchange for services rendered to that...

October 11, 2005: Practical Advice Regarding Sarbanes Oxley and Its Effects on the Non-Profit Organization
Sarbanes-Oxley has created quite a stir in the world of Wall Street, but there has also been a broad impact in the non-profit world as well...

August 1, 2005: Fourth Circuit Holds That Fired Worker's Waiver of FMLA Rights Under Severance Agreement is Invalid
As many employers are well aware, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is problematic...

July 4, 2005: Two friends are on the mortgage on a house, but only one is on the deed.
Are transfer and recordation taxes due if a no consideration deed is recorded putting the house in both names?

June 6, 2005: What are my responsiblities as a landlord for lead paint removal?
Under the Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Law, there are mandatory requirements...