News & Legal Updates Archive

Cybersecurity threats are ever more prevalent in today’s world, and even more so during the holiday season. It is critically important individuals and businesses take steps to protect their personal information and other data during the holidays. In this blog we discuss three common cyber threats that may affect you or your business during the holiday season.

Trinh Vo has joined McDonald Hopkins as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Department. She brings to the firm extensive intellectual property experience, with a practice that focuses on patent, trademark and IP litigation.

On December 3, 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will shorten the now six-month response due date for any trademark office action (final or non-final) to just three months. The USPTO will, however, allow an extension of an additional three-months with payment of a $125 fee to file the applicable response.

Last month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that sets forth the steps that the United States will take to implement the U.S. commitments under the European Union-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-U.S. DPF).

Liz Sullivan, the Chair of McDonald Hopkins' national Healthcare Practice Group, and Emily Johnson, a Member of the firm who focuses on matters in the healthcare industry, spoke about the  Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA), as well as relevant healthcare cases, during a video lecture for the University of Utah ARUP Laboratories. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 1, 2022, issued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) 2023 Final Rule (the “2023 Final Rule”), which sets forth updates, policy revisions and guidance relating to services under the MPFS. This includes updates and summaries regarding relaxed standards and related flexibilities that have facilitated the expanded use of telehealth and other digital health services during the Public Health Emergency (the PHE). 

Demetri Sintsirmas has joined McDonald Hopkins as an Associate in the Litigation Department, adding his experience to the firm’s commercial litigation team. He brings a diverse set legal experience to the firm, with a practice that focuses on providing guidance to both large and small corporate clients throughout the litigation and appeals process.

Christal Contini, a Member at McDonald Hopkins, Chair of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice, and the Vice Chair of the Business Law Department, recently spoke at the Behavioral Health Business INVEST Conference. Christal’s panel presentation was summarized and statements from her presentation were also included in the Behavioral Health Business article.

McDonald Hopkins Cleveland Managing Member David Kall's article "State tax incentives bring in big manufacturers — can your business benefit?" was featured in a recent edition of Crain's Cleveland Business.  

This edition of our employment law lessons for employers focuses on the recent employment related drama at Twitter. Here we break down the reported employment actions at Twitter and look at the practical lessons that employers can learn to implement drama-free reductions-in-force. 

Christal Contini, a Member at McDonald Hopkins, Chair of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice, and the Vice Chair of the Business Law Department, and Marc Carmel, Managing Member of the Chicago office and a Member of the firm's Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department, wrote an article for Crain's Chicago Business on how investors should consider the opportunities and risks of buying a distressed business. 

With recent changes to the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, organizations, covered entities, and health care providers should ensure that those who fall under both HIPAA and the CMIA are trained and knowledgeable about the specific and changing requirements to ensure not only privacy compliance but also the patient’s privacy.  

McDonald Hopkins LLC has been recognized among the nation’s “Best Law Firms” in U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ 2023 rankings. The firm is highlighted in 44 categories, including 17 rated as Metropolitan Tier 1 practice areas. McDonald Hopkins is also ranked nationally in six categories. 

Laura Sims has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC as an Associate in the Business Department and growing national Mergers and Acquisitions team.

McDonald Hopkins LLC is proud to announce the addition of Francis (Frank) Massaro to the Firm’s Baltimore/Annapolis office. Massaro joins McDonald Hopkins as an Associate, adding his expertise to the Business Department and growing national Mergers and Acquisitions team.    

The IRS released IRS Notice 2022-55, providing for the new cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for the 2023 Tax Year. 

As cybersecurity threats continue to grow and become part of everyday life for individuals and businesses, it is critical that they be addressed as an operational risk. Like other operational risks, cybersecurity threats can impact your ability to operate, access information, reputation, customer trust, bottom line, and overall survival. The best defense against these threats is to create a culture of awareness and vigilance.

Maria Carr has rejoined the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as an Associate in the Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department. 

Christa Kumming has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC as an associate in the Litigation Department, adding her experience to the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. 

An ESOP remains paradoxical – a tax-qualified ERISA-covered retirement plan that is intended and allowed to invest directly in the employer’s securities in order to promote employee ownership. An ESOP’s ability to invest in the employer’s securities creates opportunities for shareholders to realize liquidity in a tax-advantaged manner.

Jory Berg has joined the Chicago office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as an Associate in the Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department.

Julie Toth has joined the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as Counsel in the Business Department, where she will add her experience to the firm’s Executive Compensation and Governance team.

John Polinko has rejoined the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as Counsel in the Business Department, where he will add his experience to the firm’s Commercial Finance and Real Estate teams. Polinko previously worked in the Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department at McDonald Hopkins.

Brian DeYoung has joined the Chicago office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as an Associate in the Litigation Department and part of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Team.

Like your home and car, you should not leave you digital systems and data vulnerable to an attack. Your data and computer system should be “locked” and handled with the same care as your other belongings. Any device that stores information or is connected to the internet can be a way for cyber criminals to gain access to your information and personal data

An Ohio law recently went into effect that defines the parameters for what constitutes an at-home work-related injury.

McDonald Hopkins LLC today announced executive leadership team appointments that will support the Firm’s growth and strengthen its position as a destination firm for both talented attorneys and distinguished clients.

McDonald Hopkins is proud to announce the election of attorneys Christopher Allen, Craig Distel, David Schelberg, and Amy Willey to the firm’s membership.

McDonald Hopkins has women attorneys and professionals in every office, department, practice group and level of leadership. This Spotlight Series shines a light on those attorneys and professionals, giving everyone at the Firm the opportunity to learn more about them and their practice.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s annual awareness campaign, throughout the month McDonald Hopkins will be sharing information to educate you on how to take control of your digital safety and secure your individual and business information.  

Ransomware attacks rose 13 percent this year alone — here's what businesses need to know to protect themselves.

This article originally appeared in Crain’s Detroit Business on September 26, 2022.

From English monarchs to administrative agency rules, nothing lasts forever. On September 6, 2022, the United States National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a new proposed rule to revise – once again – its standard for determining joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act. This proposed version is not as friendly to franchisors.

Federal contractors that have existing firm-fixed-price contracts that have suffered due to price escalations received fantastic news this week, when the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense issued a game-changing memorandum addressing inflation.

If your company has not begun to use company logos or trademarks within QR codes, you should think twice about doing so due to the risk of being sued for patent infringement in federal court.

Madaleine Gray has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC as an associate in the Litigation Department, adding her experience to the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. 

McDonald Hopkins would like to congratulate our client Endless River Technologies LLC, a Northeast Ohio insurance technology startup, which received an $18.3 million jury verdict against the global information and insights company TransUnion LLC for refusing to return Endless River’s intellectual property following TransUnion’s termination of their partnership agreement in 2018.

McDonald Hopkins LLC is proud to announce the addition of two experienced mergers and acquisitions attorneys to the Firm’s Baltimore/Annapolis office. Kathryn L. Hickey and David T. Shafer have both joined McDonald Hopkins as Members, adding their expertise to a growing national M&A team and serving as the latest addition to the firm’s increased presence on the East Coast. 

The McDonald Hopkins Public Law Practice Group presents "5 Questions with" Rick Frio, President of IMC Solar

Federal contractors that filed a Type 2 Consolidated Employer Information Report, Standard Form 100 (EEO-1 Report) between 2016-2020 have until Monday, September 19, 2022, to file an objection to the disclosure of their report, which will otherwise be made public as part of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR).

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit illustrates the jurisdictional pitfalls that can ensnare unwary litigants – highlighting the need for attention to detail from both sides at the earliest stages of a case.

McDonald Hopkins data privacy and cybersecurity attorney Stephen Robison's article "Legality of Non-kinetic ASAT Weapons: A US Perspective on How Technology Outpaces Law," was recently published in the Air and Space Law journal.

Last week the controversial Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Act) was signed into law. The Act creates a government-appointed 10-person council to set wages as high as $22 an hour at fast food chains with more than 100 units nationwide. The council, which will include fast food workers, will also set working conditions and address alleged worker abuses that advocates say soared during the pandemic.

On August 31, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit revived a class action lawsuit filed against Burger King in which certain former employees allege violations of antitrust laws related to no-poach provisions formerly contained in Burger King’s franchise agreement.

While companies that operate as part of the Defense Industrial Base wait for the implementation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, it is still important that they monitor current cybersecurity obligations and compliance requirements. 

Michelle Kantor has been recognized among 2022's Notable Women in Law by Crain's Chicago Business. 

Private equity firms are recognizing the increased societal focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.  Like many for-profit organizations, private equity firms often struggle with what appears to be conflicting goals: generating returns for their investors while achieving broader ESG goals of their stakeholders.

Part 4 in the series "The Wild West of name, image, and likeness." The NCAA's decision a year ago to allow student-athletes throughout the country to profit from their name, image, and likeness, proved to be just the tip of the iceberg. A handful of lawsuits are slowly making their way through the courts with potential to further alter the landscape of collegiate athletics – and employment law. 

McDonald Hopkins would like to congratulate our client Miami-Luken on the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to dismiss its criminal indictment, which charged the company for violation of the Controlled Substances Act.

Sanjana Palla has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC in Chicago as an associate in the Litigation Department, adding her experience to the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group.  

Erika Apelis has joined the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as Counsel in the Business Department, adding her experience to the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate team.