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| 02.17.09 | COBRA Provisions in Economic Stimulus Legislation Require Employers to Act Now
Patricia S. Cain, Jeffrey J. Bakker
Abstract: As part of its efforts to help the unemployed, Congress included a 65% subsidy for COBRA and certain state continuation coverage premiums in the economic stimulus legislation that is expected to become law on February 17, 2009. For most employees, the subsidy will become effective on March 1, 2009. The subsidy allows employees who are involuntarily terminated to pay a reduced premium equal to 35% of the regular premium for continuation coverage. An employer or insurer recoups the other 65% of the premium by claiming a credit against its payroll taxes. The legislation also provides a special COBRA election for qualified beneficiaries who are entitled to continuation coverage by virtue of a covered employee’s involuntary termination of employment on or after September 1, 2008. The attached briefing describes the new subsidy and other COBRA provisions in the economic stimulus legislation and sets forth an action plan for employers to comply with the new rules. |
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| 02.13.09 | Neal Gerber Eisenberg's "2008-2009: Client Service and Beyond"
Abstract: We invite you to review Neal Gerber Eisenberg's "2008-2009: Client Service and Beyond." The color document contains a summary of noteworthy firm-related news including: · The addition of five new attorneys to the firm's Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group; · The launch of the firm's new Life Sciences Practice Group; · Profiles of new lateral partners, elevated partners and senior counsel; · The appointment of Miranda K. Mandel as COO of the firm; · The firm becoming a charter member of the Chicago Bar Foundation Law Firm Leadership Circle in support of new legal aid and pro bono initiatives; and · A number of recent accolades, awards and honors bestowed upon individual firm attorneys recognized for the quality of their legal advice and their service in the community. We look forward to working with you in the coming year. |
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| 02.11.09 | An Illinois Court Refuses to Yield on an Issue in Concurrent, Parallel Litigation That It Decided First
Christopher D. Mickus, Patrick Frye
Abstract: Picking the playing field for dispute resolution is often key to a good outcome and can be done by contract long before litigation is a reality. Yet if that is not done, and one national corporation is in a contentious dispute with another, both sides may sue each other within days in different courts. The dilemma then is what to do when one court rules on an issue that is also before the other court, as was the case in recent product liability-related litigation. In a December 29, 2008 opinion rendered in Allianz Insurance Co. v. Guidant Corp., the Illinois Second District Appellate Court addressed what an Illinois court should do when another state’s court renders a decision on the same point in concurrent, parallel litigation between the same parties that contradicts an earlier ruling by the Illinois court. |
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| 02.09.09 | Federal Interoperability Standards Recognition Affects HIT Systems
Amir Azaran
Abstract: Health information technology (HIT) systems of health plans, health care providers and government HIT vendors are affected by the Department of Health and Human Services' January 16 recognition as federal interoperability standards of six interoperability specifications adopted by the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP). To learn how HIT systems are affected, read the Health IT Alert, "Federal Interoperability Standards Recognition Affects IT Systems." |
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| 02.05.09 | Is “Bring Your Gun to Work Day” Coming?
Workplace Magazine
David B. Ritter, Sonya Rosenberg
Abstract: Despite the struggling economy, stores around the country are reporting an interesting phenomenon: Gun sales keep going up. Some attribute this trend to anticipated tightening gun control under the Obama presidency; others to fears and stresses stemming from the increasingly tough economic times. Whatever the cause, growing gun sales have employers worried. And understandably so. The past year’s developments in the national gun debate have raised serious questions about an employer’s continued ability to protect its workplace and its employees from the dire consequences of gun violence. Neal Gerber Eisenberg partner and Labor & Employment Practice Group chair David B. Ritter and Labor & Employment Practice Group member Sonya Rosenberg co-authored an article that appears in the February 5, 2009 issue of Workplace Magazine.Click here to view the full article. |
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