Author: mskllp

Since 1908, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP (MSK) has proven its ability to understand the complex, demystify the mysterious, and define the unknown. With more than 130 lawyers and offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C., MSK is often distinguished as a “go-to” firm by industry and legal insiders, and has extensive experience in a variety of practice areas, including Entertainment & IP Litigation, Labor & Employment, Entertainment Transactions, Immigration, Corporate Securities, Regulatory, Tax, Trusts & Estates, Real Estate and International Trade. Relentlessly innovative, our lawyers have developed groundbreaking legislation, established influential precedents, and shaped the legal landscape. For more information, visit www.msk.com.
Intellectual Property

No “Fees or Forms” Required for Inclusion of Native American Tribal Insignias in USPTO Database

Written by Alesha M. Dominique and Lindsay R. Edelstein The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) tribal insignia trademark program allows Native American tribes to include tribal insignias in the USPTO’s database at no charge.  The USPTO’s waiver of application fees is intended to foster adequate protections for Native American tribes’ intellectual property and cultural heritage. The tribal insignia database has been a component of … Continue reading No “Fees or Forms” Required for Inclusion of Native American Tribal Insignias in USPTO Database

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Labor & Employment

The NLRB Approves Confidentiality Rule with Regard to an Ongoing Employer Investigation

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Justine Wallace Can an employer ask employees to keep interviews conducted in the context of a workplace investigation confidential?  Yes, says the NLRB, in a helpful ruling for employers– that applies to both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. A majority 2-1 decision by the National Labor Relations Board (the “Board”) held that an employer did not violate federal law after instructing … Continue reading The NLRB Approves Confidentiality Rule with Regard to an Ongoing Employer Investigation

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Labor & Employment

The NLRB Approves Non-Disparagement, Non-Solicitation, and Email Workplace Rules

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Louise Truong The National Labor Relations Board (the “Board”) frequently evaluates employer policies regarding whether they violate employees’ rights to unionize under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).  As such, it is essential for employers, including those who do not have union employees, to consider the Board’s decisions when drafting and reviewing their policies and handbooks.  Recently, … Continue reading The NLRB Approves Non-Disparagement, Non-Solicitation, and Email Workplace Rules

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

Employers Begin to Grapple with the Risks of Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Shanda Lowe As expected, the first batch of lawsuits challenging COVID-19 vaccine mandates are popping up across the country—a possibility that we noted in an earlier post on this subject. So far, at least two federal lawsuits have been filed based on the fact that the COVID-19 vaccines currently in use are only available under an Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) … Continue reading Employers Begin to Grapple with the Risks of Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

IT’S BACK! MOST CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS NOW NEED TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL COVID-19 SICK LEAVE

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Thea Rogers On March 18, 2021, the California Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 95, thereby extending the previous COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law that expired on December 31, 2020. Governor Newsom signed the law into immediate effect on March 19; it applies retroactively to January 1, 2021, the obligation to provide the leave begins on March 29 (ten … Continue reading IT’S BACK! MOST CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS NOW NEED TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL COVID-19 SICK LEAVE

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Could Carry Risks In Light of FDA Authorization Status

Writtten by Jeremy Mittman and Shanda Lowe A year after many businesses in the United States were forced to reduce or shut down operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of multiple vaccines is giving hope that a return to “normal” is finally on the horizon. Although most employers have not adopted a mandatory vaccination policy (and to do so now would likely be … Continue reading Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Could Carry Risks In Light of FDA Authorization Status

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

Coronavirus Consort – Court Rejects Wife’s COVID-19 Suit Against Husband’s Employer

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Daniel Innamorati A federal judge in the Northern District of California tossed a lawsuit by the wife of an employee who allegedly contracted COVID-19 at work and transmitted the virus to her, finding that the wife’s claims are preempted by California’s worker’s compensation law.   Mrs. Corby Kuciemba claimed she contracted COVID-19 after her husband, a Victory Woodworks Inc. employee, … Continue reading Coronavirus Consort – Court Rejects Wife’s COVID-19 Suit Against Husband’s Employer

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Labor & Employment

(Don’t) Roundup: California Supreme Court Provides Meal Period Guidance to Employers

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Stephen Franz On February 25, 2021, the California Supreme Court in Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC issued two holdings clarifying employers’ duties to provide 30-minute meal periods to employees: (1) employers cannot round employees’ time in the meal period context; and (2) employers’ time records showing noncompliant meal periods raise a rebuttable presumption of meal period violations. In Donohue, the … Continue reading (Don’t) Roundup: California Supreme Court Provides Meal Period Guidance to Employers

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International Trade, Regulatory

Is Your Cargo Congested? Try This!

Written by Susan Kohn Ross A New Year typically brings hope, optimism, and a fresh outlook.  Unfortunately, when it comes to our shipping ports, the current circumstances lack anything that one could call hopeful. And,  it appears things have gone from bad to worse. There are lots of reasons for the current mess. And, just as it took a long time for things to get … Continue reading Is Your Cargo Congested? Try This!

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International Trade, Regulatory, Videos

Powers of Attorney for Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers

On February 24, 2021, MSK Partner Susan Kohn Ross presented via live webinar on “Powers of Attorney for Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers.” Please enjoy a recording of this webinar and contact skr@msk.com with any questions pertaining to powers of attorney. Continue reading Powers of Attorney for Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers

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