Title Date Authors Type Download
Tips for Planning Reductions in Force Nov 17, 2008 Michael L. Rosen eBook Download

Foley Hoag LLP eBook Series

SUMMARY

We know that the recent financial crisis and related economic downturn unfortunately are causing many employers to consider ways to reduce operational expenses, including through workforce restructuring and layoffs. We offer a few preliminary considerations: any such reduction-in-force (RIF) must be carefully planned and executed both to minimize exposure to liability under various employment laws and to mitigate negative effects on employee morale and operations. The following are some issues for employers to consider as they grapple with whether and how to implement a layoff.

Questions Include:

  • Is a Layoff Necessary?
  • Voluntary or Involuntary Program?
  • Develop Uniform Selection Criteria
  • Conduct a Layoff Analysis
  • Is Advance Notice Required
  • Severance and ERISA
  • Asking for a Release
  • Don't Forget Immigration Implications
  • Don't Lose Sight of Termination Basics

[Learn More]
Economic Crisis Team Datasheet Oct 6, 2008 Brochure Download

Protecting client interests with strategic, forward-thinking counsel

SUMMARY

Foley Hoag LLP’s interdisciplinary team counsels and protects the interests of its clients facing new realities, challenges and risks framed by today’s tumultuous economic and market conditions. By maintaining an active and engaged dialogue with our clients during this period of economic distress, our lawyers are better able to adapt to the changing legal needs of clients affected in the short term. More importantly, our immersion in their businesses and industries enables our lawyers to provide sound, strategic counsel to protect our clients’ interests in the longer term. The Economic Crisis Team delivers forward-thinking advice, focusing on long-standing core, integrated strengths of the firm.

Topics include:

  • Financial investigations, enforcement proceedings and litigation
  • Federal and state securities regulation
  • Deal-making, corporate finance and investment restructuring
  • Bankruptcy, corporate reorganization and financial disputes

[Learn More]
Five Common Employment Law Hazards for Start-Ups Jun 16, 2008 Michael L. Rosen eBook

SUMMARY

Contents

1. Exposure to Liability in the Hiring Process

2. Failure to Adequately Document Terms and Conditions of Employment

3. Misclassification Issues
    - Employee or Independent Contractor
    - Exempt or Non-exempt

4. Failure to Comply with Wage Payment Laws

5. Inadequate Protection of Intellectual Property

[Learn More]
The Foley Hoag Foundation 2007 Annual Report Jun 3, 2008 eBook Download

SUMMARY

Established in December 1980 by the partners of law firm Foley Hoag, The Foley Hoag Foundation is a private foundation that seeks to combat racism, especially among youth, in the City of Boston. The Foundation awards grants to organizations working to improve the racial climate in Boston by addressing issues of diversity and racism. Grantee organizations achieve their goals through a variety of means, including arts and cultural activities, youth leadership and recreational programs. Other grantees provide advocacy assistance, enabling individuals to confront racism through legal or political action. Some grantee organizations work to prepare young children to live in the reality of a multicultural society, others engage teens, and a few target a primarily adult constituency.

The Foley Hoag Foundation was the first—and remains the only— foundation to focus exclusively on the improvement of race relations in Boston. The trustees are fortunate to have the unqualified endorsement of Foley Hoag, which has provided an enormous amount of financial, administrative and moral support.

[Learn More]
New IRS Annual Information Return Required for Small Tax-Exempt Organizations – Form 990-N (e-Postcard) May 1, 2008 Sharon C. Lincoln, Shirin Philipp Alert

Nonprofit Alert - May 1, 2008

SUMMARY

Until now, most small tax-exempt organizations, defined as those with gross receipts of $25,000 or less per year, have not been required to file an annual information return with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). 

However, small tax-exempt organizations must now file an annual electronic information return – the Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard. This requirement covers all tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. The e-Postcard must be filed no later than the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of the organization’s tax year. For example, an organization whose tax year ends December 31 must submit the e-Postcard by the following May 15.

[Learn More]
Ten Commandments: Prudent Activities for the Board of Directors of a Not-For-Profit Corporation Aug 14, 2007 Richard Schaul-Yoder, Shirin Philipp eBook Download

SUMMARY

The directors of a not-for-profit corporation are bound by two general types of legal duties:

A duty of care

The duty to perform their responsibilities in good faith, in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation, and with such care as an ordinarily prudent person would be in similar circumstances; and

A duty of loyalty

The duty to keep the interests of the corporation paramount above personal interests when acting for or on behalf of the corporation.

The following Ten Commandments provide examples of some of the actions a board of directors should take to act in accordance with its legal duties... (continues)

[Learn More]
Doing Business in Massachusetts Aug 14, 2007 Arlene L. Bender, Michael N. Glanz eBook Download

A Guide to U.S. and Massachusetts Law for Non-U.S. Businesses

SUMMARY

This guide is intended to provide foreign businesspeople with an introduction to the basic kinds of laws and regulations that affect the conduct of business in the United States, and particularly in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The level of detail is varied, reflecting the nature of the legal areas discussed. For example, environmental law and taxation are subjects of detailed and technical regulation, while labor relations are governed as much by custom and practice as by direct regulation.

[Learn More]