Understanding an Employers’ Duty to Prevent Harassment in the Workplace: The History, Application, and Purpose of the Ellerth-Faragher Affirmative Defense

By May Oberfell Lorber | July 12, 2024

Courts have longtime been addressing the issue of harassment in the workplace, but it is still a credible, ongoing issue. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 81,055 charges of workplace discrimination. Discrimination and harassment disrupt the workplace by creating an environment that fosters mistrust, reduces morale, and hinders…

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Why you shouldn’t settle your personal injury case on your own.

By Matthew Anderson | June 12, 2024

If you have been in a car accident and experienced a slip and fall and sustained injuries, you may receive an offer of compensation for those injuries. The offer may seem reasonable to you, or it may seem like it is one-time offer that will be taken away if you delay any further. You may…

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An update on SBA loans

By Katherine Iskin | June 12, 2024

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is an agency in the US Government that provides loan guaranties to banks that allows them to provide financial help to small businesses. This lets lenders give loans to small businesses that might otherwise be too risky without this additional level of insurance. The most common SBA loan is called…

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Estate Planning for Young Adults: Why It’s Never Too Early to Plan Ahead.

By Laura Faulstich | April 8, 2024

Young adults in Indiana can benefit significantly from estate planning, regardless of their age or financial situation. An estate plan can provide peace of mind, protect loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored in the event of incapacity or death. Estate planning is simply making legal arrangements for the management and distribution of your…

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Michigan Policy Shift as to Slip and Falls

By Georgianne Walker | April 8, 2024

The Michigan Supreme Court overturned a 2001 precedent that had all but ended most slip and fall cases in Michigan before they began. In July 2023 in a 5 to 2 Opinion authored by Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, the majority of the Michigan Supreme Court introduced a new framework for premises liability that puts the…

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My Spouse and I Are Getting Divorced – What Will Happen to Our Pets?

By Marissa Claxton | March 20, 2024

Today, most people consider their pets as family members. So, what happens to those pets when two spouses divorce? Will one party be awarded “primary physical custody?” Is there a “parenting time” schedule ordered? Are the “best interests” of the pets considered? While custody disputes over pets in divorce proceedings have become increasingly more common,…

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Corporate Transparency Act Filings

By Sean Towner | February 16, 2024

Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) in 2021. The CTA took effect on January 1, 2024. This new federal law requires certain companies (such as corporations, LLCs, LLPs, etc.) to provide information about its Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Act) to the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The required information that…

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Small Claims in Indiana: Access to Justice

By Savannah Gutierrez | February 16, 2024

Small claims courts in Indiana provide individuals with the opportunity to resolve specific eligible disputes with simplicity and convenience. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 33-28-3-4, the following types of cases are eligible for the small claims docket: There is an important caveat to utilizing the convenience of the small claims docket – any amount sought…

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Are You Eligible to Become a U.S. Citizen by Naturalization?

By Linda Plata | February 7, 2024

Generally, in order to become a U.S. citizen by Naturalization, a Legal Permanent Resident, (a “LPR”), must meet the following requirements: To show compliance with the English Civics Requirement, the LPR must undergo an English Test and a Civics Test. There are, however, certain exemptions to the English Test. Specifically: If applicable, a LPR may…

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Using bankruptcy to correct mistakes made by small business owners

By Katherine Iskin | February 7, 2024

No one starts a business with the intention of having it stumble or fail. But mistakes happen – whether by accidental missteps or economic conditions – and not all businesses are profitable. Here are ways that bankruptcy might correct or mitigate mistakes made by small business owners: 1) Reorganizing tax debt One very common misstep…

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