Baker Donelson

Baker Donelson is proud to sponsor the NAITA (North Alabama International Trade Association) Trade Compliance Roundtable Series. The first program of the year was held in Huntsville on Thursday, April 25th. Lee Smith, International Trade and National Security Attorney, was joined by Robert Davis, SES, Laura Forte of the NAITA Board, and James Van Eenenaam, MBA LCB from General Atomics and Affiliated Companies. They had a robust discussion on ITAR Empowered Officials and offered practical best practices for individuals in that role or considering becoming an Empowered Official.

The 113th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 25, 2024. The session was dominated by debate over the size and scope of the $1.6 billion legislative fix to the state franchise tax that naturally dashed plans for other budget initiatives. Here is a summary of how various major items played out this year: https://lnkd.in/eNR_h3GA by Lang Wiseman and Jacob Baggett

Baker Donelson's Sheila Burke has once again been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of The 500 Most Influential People in Washington. Ms. Burke's inclusion in this list highlights her status as a leading thinker and influential voice in shaping public policy in our nation's capital.

Over a year after proposing sweeping changes to the current Title IX regulations and delays on the official release date, the Biden Administration has officially released its revised Title IX regulations for all education programs and activities that receive federal funds. Educational institutions now have until August 1, 2024, to update their policies and procedures to comply with the 2024 Final Rule. As anticipated, the new regulations provide broader protections under Title IX for students and employees of educational institutions and place a higher burden on educational institutions to ensure that sex-based discrimination and harassment are promptly and effectively addressed. The final changes to the regulations will undoubtedly require that schools update their current policies and procedures. Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/eqjuti8y By Emma Redden and Whitney M. Dowdy

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule in a partisan 3-2 vote earlier this week prohibiting employers from binding most American workers to post-employment non-competition agreements (the "Final Rule"). Although the Final Rule's future is uncertain, workers and businesses alike should understand the contours of the Final Rule and be prepared to navigate current and former employees' questions and challenges in the near future. Here are the top ten questions we have received from our clients about the FTC's Final Rule: https://lnkd.in/gsavr_wV By Hannah Jarrells, David Gevertz, and Katie Funk

The U.S. Department of Labor published its final rule amending the overtime regulations of the federal wage and hour law, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on April 23, 2024. The new rule requires an increase to the salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional workers and Highly Compensated Employees to qualify for exemption from overtime. In advance of the initial July 1, 2024, salary increase deadline, employers need to identify which employees will be affected by these changes and assess how to handle changes to employee statuses. This may involve adjusting payroll systems, redefining job descriptions, or modifying work hours to manage labor costs effectively. Moreover, clear communication and training will be crucial to smoothly transition of affected employees and minimize any disruptions or misunderstandings. The swift implementation of these changes, paired with substantial increases in the salary thresholds, may prompt legal challenges like those faced by previous attempts to amend the FLSA's overtime provisions. Employers should stay informed about the legal landscape and be prepared to make further adjustments if the rule is challenged in court. Read our analysis here: https://lnkd.in/g-MNGrP2 By Dena H. Sokolow

🎧 This week on Everybody Leads with Tim Lupinacci, we are joined by Stephanie Nelson, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of The Coupon Mom. Listen in as Stephanie discusses her leadership journey, including the setbacks she faced and how she overcame them. She shares insights on embracing her entrepreneurial spirit and persevering through adversity. Find this episode and past episodes of Everybody Leads on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eZV3ebrE

Five attorneys with Baker Donelson have been named to the 2024 edition of Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. The attorneys named to the 2024 list are: - John G. Calender (Antitrust Litigation) - Daniel Carrigan (Bankruptcy: Business) - Alisa Chestler, CIPP US, QTE (Health Care) - David Folds (Bankruptcy: Business) - John McJunkin (Bankruptcy: Business) Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented, multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

Highlighting Our Newly Elected Shareholders: Alanna Herman, Columbia Ms. Herman, who is a member of the Real Estate/Finance Group, represents landowners, developers, lenders, public utilities, and private companies in real estate transactions, with a focus on solar development. She assists clients in a variety of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition/disposition, finance, development, and leasing. Ms. Herman has experience in numerous types of real estate transactions, including commercial leases for office and industrial spaces, solar facility acquisition and development, and wireless telecommunications agreements. She also has experience assisting clients with alcohol and business licensing. In addition to her real estate/financing work, Ms. Herman represents clients in Energy-as-a-Service transactions and has represented financial services companies and lenders on creditors' rights issues, including the recovery of defaulted real estate loans through foreclosure and receivership. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Ms. Herman is a member of the South Carolina Bar CLE Publications Committee. She is Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ in the area of Real Estate Law. Learn more about Ms. Herman here: https://lnkd.in/epJDHnRc

Highlighting Our Newly Elected Shareholders: Hannah Jarrells, Atlanta Ms. Jarrells, a member of the Firm's Labor & Employment Group, represents clients in trade secret litigation, restrictive covenant litigation, fiduciary litigation, whistleblower litigation, and business tort litigation. She also represents clients in all aspects of employment litigation, including lawsuits alleging violations of city, state, and federal employment-related laws and regulations. Ms. Jarrells is from Gainesville, Georgia, and graduated with honors from West Hall High School in 2008. She graduated with honors from the University of Georgia with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012 and her law degree in 2015. Ms. Jarrells is listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ and has been selected to Georgia Rising Stars. Learn more about Ms. Jarrells here: https://lnkd.in/dt_PmZ7E