It was the overarching theme of the recently-completed election, and it will be the number one priority at the Minnesota Capitol when the 2011 legislative session convenes in January.

This year, the April 30 deadline for filing property tax appeals falls on a Saturday.

Many employers are asking what, if anything, is happening at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In its two most recent sessions, the Minnesota Legislature has focused significant attention to providing assistance to homeowners that are in danger of having their home foreclosed.

Last year, New York enacted legislation that imposed new tax filing obligations on certain franchisors whose franchisees pay sales tax in New York.

The EEOC appears to be focusing on alleged religious discrimination of Muslim women who are denied employment. In two lawsuits brought by the EEOC, female Muslim applicants refused to remove their head scarves and were denied employment.

A major issue facing franchisors and franchisees alike has been the differing state requirements with regard to nutritional labeling of food products.

With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the subsequent amendment by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, employers are now facing major changes to the health care benefit packages.

On January 20, 2011, John Morton, Director of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE"), announced the establishment of an Employment Compliance Inspection Center ("ECIC") in Crystal City, Virginia, near ICE Headquarters

A recent court case out of New York underscores the importance of including domain name registration as part of important corporate strategies, such as in mergers and acquisitions.

On June 22, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") issued an Administrative Interpretation Letter (No. 2010-3) clarifying who may take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") to care for a newly born, adopted, or sick child.

Cynthia Klaus, a Shareholder in Larkin Hoffman’s Franchise and Distribution practice group, collaborated with two other attorneys to present a workshop which addressed ways in which franchisors can take steps to protect itself from vicarious liability claims.

On January 24, 2011, the United States Supreme Court issued its unanimous decision in Thompson v. North American Stainless (562 U.S. ___ (2011)) on the issue of who is protected by the anti-retaliation provisions of Title VII.

The Minnesota Legislature is considering a number of amendments to MCIOA. After reviewing the proposed amendments to MCIOA, it appears that a majority of the revisions do not directly impact secured parties.

While the United States Constitution provides that private property shall not be "taken" without just compensation, the Minnesota Constitution ensures that just compensation must be paid not only when private property is taken, but also when it is "destroyed or damaged."

Those in the franchising industry have been awaiting a ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court in KFC Corp. vs. Iowa Department of Revenue, a tax nexus case that could have implications for the entire industry.

The Minnesota legislature and Governor Dayton will address tremendously important environment and energy issues in 2011.

In October 2010, several important Eighth Circuit Bankruptcy Court decisions were issued. This article summarizes those decisions.

Reliance on a written permit and considerable expenditures, alone, are insufficient to create a vested right in a construction project according to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision.

A recent decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court that narrowly interprets the standard for approving zoning variances has brought to a halt virtually all pending municipal variance requests.