Taking License Liberties Based On Affiliation

A California Court of Appeal has invalidated San Francisco's Empty Homes Tax, ruling that the Ellis Act—which protects property owners' right to exit the rental market—also shields them from being forced to enter it through vacancy taxation. This landmark decision raises critical questions about the viability of similar residential vacancy taxes that other California municipalities have enacted or are considering as housing policy tools.

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act receives significant enhancements through Senate Bill 1116, expanding site eligibility criteria, limiting local zoning restrictions, and invalidating certain private deed covenants to accelerate small-lot residential subdivisions. The legislation introduces streamlined 60-day ministerial approvals while establishing new rules for lot size averaging, height restrictions, and concurrent permit processing that fundamentally reshape the pathway for starter home devel

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.

Mechanic's liens pose significant challenges for property owners and developers in California construction projects, even when they have fulfilled their payment obligations. Understanding the strict procedural requirements, timing deadlines, and available remedies can help owners protect their projects from improper claims and efficiently resolve legitimate liens when they arise.

On April 6, 2026, the same day that the Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision in Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC v. Regional Rail Partners, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 26-074 into law. The legislation, which took effect on August 12, 2026, clarifies the amounts that may be included in mechanic’s liens and public construction payment claims, as well as the circumstances under which those claims may be considered excessive.

The Texas Business Court examined whether foreclosure notices delivered via email and UPS next-day service satisfied contractual deed of trust provisions and Texas Property Code requirements that specified certified mail. The court also addressed whether notice sent to a designated agent constituted proper notice to the borrower when the borrower's name was omitted from the address line.

If you own multiple businesses, manage a real estate portfolio, or plan to expand into multiple ventures, there's a business structure that could save you thousands in formation costs while providing robust asset protection.

Illinois landlords will face new rules governing rental fees, disclosures, and application charges beginning January 1, 2027. House Bill 3564 adds “Rental fee transparency and limitations” to the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705/35).

The construction claims process is a complicated exercise where superior internal legal knowledge often rules the day and can help you to avoid protracted litigation.

Florida's new Section 489.1295 establishes licensing consequences for contractors who fail to timely pay subcontractors and suppliers, effective July 1, 2026. The statute creates disciplinary exposure for knowingly or willfully withholding payment, though it includes important exceptions for bona fide disputes and contractual payment terms. Contractors must now navigate potential license sanctions including fines up to $10,000, suspension, or revocation when payment disputes arise.

On July 23, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative imposed new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, affecting approximately 99.4% of U.S. imports. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5% depending on the country, aim to pressure foreign governments to strengthen controls on forced-labor imports, with different calculation methods for the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland. The action creates significant implications for U.S. supply chains, with

A data breach exposes thousands of customer records. An employee falls for a phishing email and wires $200,000 to a fraudulent account. A vendor’s compromised software infects your network.

Water utility bills are rising faster than electricity rates across America, driven by aging infrastructure, stricter regulations, and system consolidations. This analysis examines why investor-owned water utilities in North Carolina are experiencing accelerating rate increases and explores the legal, economic, and affordability challenges facing regulators and low-income households.

Businesses across the United States are receiving demand letters and lawsuits claiming that common website features like search bars, chat widgets, and analytics tools violate California's 1967 wiretapping law.

2025 is the 100th anniversary of the General Assembly's establishment of the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors ("NCLBGC").

The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have issued a supplemental proposal that would dramatically narrow the definition of federally regulated waters under the Clean Water Act, requiring perennial flow for tributaries and year-round surface water connections for wetlands. This September 2026 proposal responds to public criticism of earlier standards and could exclude many intermittent streams and seasonal wetlands from federal jurisdiction. Stakeholders have until October 9, 2

Remote work, overseas vendors, and AI tools have created new vulnerabilities in trade secret protection that standard policies haven't addressed. Understanding these modern risks and implementing specific safeguards is essential for North Carolina businesses to maintain legal protection of their confidential information.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced October 6, 2026, as the launch date for Phase 3 of its IEEPA tariff refund system, allowing plaintiffs with Court of International Trade reliquidation orders to submit older entries for processing. This development follows the Supreme Court's decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which invalidated the IEEPA tariffs, but the refund process depends on complex customs liquidation rules...

A hallmark of bankruptcy law is equal treatment of similarly-situated creditors. The Bankruptcy Code frowns upon a debtor who, while insolvent, pays some creditors but not others in the run-up...

Work authorization rules for Haitian workers with Temporary Protected Status have shifted dramatically following recent Supreme Court and federal court rulings. Employers with TPS-authorized employees from Haiti face urgent compliance decisions as the window for continued protection narrows, with work permits set to expire on July 27, 2026.