Category: News

Posted January 25, 2024 with Tags Firm News

PFAS – “Forever Chemicals” – Regulatory and Litigation Developments for Product Manufacturers

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known by the acronym PFAS and better known by the moniker “forever chemicals,” are the focus of rapidly evolving regulatory regimes at the U.S. federal and state levels, which in turn is driving class-action litigation asserting …

Posted January 11, 2024 with Tags Firm News

Reminder to Employers: Transgender Employees may be Entitled to Reasonable Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act

A recent Statement of Interest filed earlier this week by the Department of Justice in a federal prisoner lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia should serve as an important reminder to employers and …

Posted January 11, 2024 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

The Department of State has Expanded the Authority of Consular Officers to Waive Interviews for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

On December 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of State announced the expansion of consular officer authority to waive interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. When nonimmigrant visa applicants are applying for a visa to enter the United States, the final …

Posted January 8, 2024 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

USCIS Set to Increase Premium Processing Fee (Again) For Qualifying Immigration Petitions In February 2024

On December 27, 2023, USCIS announced it will increase the premium processing government fee to $2,805. Currently, the premium processing fee is $2,500, so it is an increase of $305. The new fee will go into effect Monday, February 26, …

Posted December 29, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

Stateside Visa Renewals for H-1B Applicants – a Welcome Start!

On December 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a pilot program to implement limited stateside visa renewal processing for certain qualified H-1B visa applicants. The application period begins January 29, 2024 and will go through April 1, …

Posted December 14, 2023 with Tags Firm News

My Mom is a Client. When I Move Firms, Can I Wish Her Happy Birthday? How Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secret Laws Can Impact Use of Client Names

We defend many financial advisory firms and individuals in restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation. When an advisor moves from one firm to another, we help manage legal risk, and, if necessary, defend against the resulting lawsuit from the prior …

Posted December 4, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Post-Hire Advice-of-Counsel—Why the Justification Defense Can Be Used in Ongoing Restrictive Covenant Litigation

Hiring an applicant who has a non-compete or non-solicit agreement with a prior employer creates risk for the both the individual and the new employer. The prior employer can sue both the applicant for violating the contract and the new …

Posted November 20, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Best Lawyers® Recognizes Firm and Multiple Attorneys

NJL and numerous attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 editions of Best Law Firms and Best Lawyers respectively. As a firm, NJL has been recognized for the Minneapolis metro area for practices in Business Litigation, Labor and Employment, and …

Posted November 3, 2023 with Tags Firm News

2023 Minnesota Employment Law Updates

NJL’s Labor and Employment team has compiled and summarized new Minnesota laws and amendments passed during 2023 that impact employers. The changes touch on a number of topics, including noncompete agreements, recreational cannabis and alcohol testing in the workplace, paid …

Posted October 5, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Nilan Johnson Lewis Continues to Grow with Three New Associates

Nilan Johnson Lewis (NJL), a fiercely independent law firm working to redefine the standards of legal services and a preferred employer of talented and diverse legal professionals, grows its attorney bench to its highest number since the firm’s founding with …

Posted August 22, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace

In July 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court gravely restricted the use of affirmative action in college admissions when it handed down its decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Since that decision, many questions have arisen over how the …

Posted August 4, 2023 with Tags Immigration Law, Corporate Immigration

EMPLOYERS TAKE NOTE: Temporary Final Rule Extending Certain Employment Authorization Cards by Up to 540 Days Will Sunset on October 26, 2023

As part of their I-9 obligations, many employees provide an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as evidence of their authorization to work in the United States. Such EADs have an expiration date, and those dates can vary based on the category …

Posted July 28, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

Important Changes to the I-9 Process

There are several important changes to the I-9 process that all employers should be aware of. The immigration team at Nilan Johnson Lewis has prepared the following summary below. DHS TO PUBLISH NEW FORM I-9 On August 1, 2023, U.S. …

Posted June 26, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Nilan Johnson Lewis Welcomes Prominent Employment Attorney Judy Langevin

LANGEVIN BRINGS TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE TO ONE OF THE LARGEST CERTIFIED WOMEN-OWNED LAW FIRMS MINNEAPOLIS (June 26, 2023) — Nilan Johnson Lewis (NJL), among the largest certified women-owned law firms in the country, announces the addition of Judy Langevin to its successful …

Posted June 5, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

Florida Passes Strict Employer Compliance Law

On May 9, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 (FL 1718) into law. FL 1718 is described on Governor DeSantis’ website as the “Strongest Anti-Illegal Immigration Legislation in the Country.” The law, among other things, requires private …

Posted May 23, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Minnesota Legislature Passes Bill For Paid Family and Medical Leave

The Minnesota Legislature passed a paid family and medical leave bill last week that is expected to be signed by Governor Walz within the next few days. The new law creates a state-administered, mandatory paid family and medical benefit insurance …

Posted May 18, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Minnesota Legislature Passes Jobs Bill Providing for Paid Sick and Safe Time

The Minnesota Legislature passed a statewide paid sick and safe leave law on May 16, 2023 that will be sent to the governor’s desk for signature. The new law, which is expected to be signed and would take effect on …

Posted May 17, 2023 with Tags Firm News

Minnesota Legislature Passes Bill Limiting Future Non-Compete Agreements

Minnesota is banning employment non-compete agreements and restricting provisions that require non-Minnesota laws or venues for disputes. The law will become effective on July 1, 2023, and will apply to agreements entered into on or after that date. Minnesota’s changes …

Posted May 9, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

U.S. to Lift COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for International Air Travelers

In a statement issued last week, the Biden administration announced the end of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international air travelers. The requirement will officially lift at the end of the day on May 11, 2023, meaning that any non-U.S. …

Posted May 8, 2023 with Tags Corporate Immigration, Immigration Law

Employers Beware: COVID-19 Flexibilities To Form I-9 to End On July 31, 2023

WHAT IS THE COVID-19 FLEXIBILITY POLICY? With the onset of COVID-19, in March 2020, ICE began providing flexibility to the in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation for completing Form I-9. Under that COVID-19 Flexibility Policy guidance, employers were allowed to verify I-9 …