An interesting post from A.J. Levy at Out-of-the-Box Lawyering, http://www.outoftheboxlawyering.com, on obtaining CLE credits on-line. Louisiana Supreme Court rules allow the desk-shackled among us to obtain up to 4 hours for “watching approved video presentations or listening to approved audio presentations.” We can’t emphasize the “approved” term enough. Check out A.J.’s post for details. This information could also be handy during those overnight hotel stays when that thirst to keep learning, to keep growing as a lawyer simply cannot be quenched.

In 1997, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law, La. R.S. 23:301, et seq., “LEDL.” Prior to 1997, Louisiana’s various discrimination statutes were non-uniform and scattered throughout the revised statutes. The LEDL repealed and reenacted many of Louisiana’s employment discrimination statutes as part of a single, comprehensive piece of legislation found in one Title of the Revised Statutes. Continue Reading Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law (LEDL)

The always-excellent Baton Rouge Business Report’s on-line edition, http://www.businessreport.com, reports that the appearance of TraceSecurity, a Baton Rouge firm, on CNN translated into a big boost in revenue.

“What’s an appearance on CNN worth to a company? Pete Stewart of TraceSecurity estimates the value at $400,000 in revenue. The Baton Rouge-based firm run by Stewart has been cited in national newspapers as an Internet security expert. CNN’s “NewsNight with Aaron Brown” last evening featured the head of technology for the firm, which is located in the Louisiana Technology Park and has an office in San Diego. Stewart said this morning the company’s phones were ringing off the hook with inquires from potential clients, and TraceSecurity had recieved 15 e-mails as well. Based on early results, he expects the leads to generate $300,000 to $400,000 in revenue in coming weeks.”

Here is a link to TraceSecurity’s nifty home page, http://www.tracesecurity.com.

Here’s a link to a 6/2/05 article in the Baton Rouge Advocate about the cutting-edge work TraceSecurity does, and its enormous potential for expansion. http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/060205/bus_biz001.shtml

The need for “estate planning” is often dismissed by individuals as being a luxury which can only be utilized by the wealthy. However, anyone who owns any property has need for at least some knowledge of estate planning in order to determine who will receive his or her property at the time of death. Continue Reading Estate Planning – It’s For Everyone

We recently reported (see page 2) that the EEOC had approved and intended to publish a rule specifically authorizing retiree health benefit plans to coordinate plan benefits with Medicare or comparable state-sponsored health benefits without violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Recently, a federal district court in Pennsylvania issued an order enjoining, or prohibiting, the EEOC from publishing or implementing the retiree health benefit regulation. AARP v. EEOC, No. 05-CV-509 (E.D. Pa. March 30, 2005), 2005 WL 723991. The EEOC has indicated its intent to appeal the recent ruling. Continue Reading Federal District Court Enjoins EEOC Rule on Retiree Health Benefits

The United States Supreme Court ruled on March 30, 2005, in a matter of first impression, that disparate-impact claims are available to employees under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”). Smith et al. v. City of Jackson, MS, et al., No. 03-1160 (2005). In sum, this ruling allows employees to prevail in an ADEA claim against their employers without proving that the employer intended to discriminate based on the employee’s age. Continue Reading Disparate Impact Claims Available Under the ADEA

Who owns the improvements constructed by a tenant is often a critical issue when a lease terminates. If a lease does not address the issue, the relevant Louisiana Civil Code Articles will apply. Effective January 1, 2005, Louisiana revised the Civil Code Articles regarding leases. The revised Articles specifically address improvements made by tenants and govern if the lease is silent on the issue. Continue Reading Tenant Improvements – Who Owns Them?

The agonizing uncertainty over the fate of “societal expectations” under La. C.C. art. 466, component parts of an immovable, continues. Will the “societal expectorants” legislatively overrule Willis-Knighton? Will the “plain texters” legislatively solidify Willis-Knighton? Continue Reading Component Parts – The Willis-Knighton Saga Continues