BW INSIGHTS

Texas Federal Court Strikes Down Biden Administration’s Overtime Rule Raising Salary Threshold for While Collar Exemptions

According to a Texas Federal Judge on Friday, the United States Department of Labor lacked authority to raise the salary threshold for the Fair Labor Standards Act white collar overtime exemptions. The Court’s ruling strikes down on a nationwide basis the Biden Administration rule that has been in effect since July. The Court rules that each of... Read More

How A Trump Second Term Will Affect the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

With a change of administration employers can expect shifting policies. For a second Trump term, employers can likely expect similar policies as to the first Trump administration. A Republican president typically means that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will ease up on prosecuting employers for alleged labor violations and shift... Read More

SECTION 1202 GAIN EXCLUSION IN SALES TO ESOPS

ESOPs provide many tax advantages for both sellers and the ESOP-owned company. In addition to all of the ESOP-specific benefits, sales to ESOPs can also potentially qualify for gain exclusion under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code. Benefits of Section 1202 Section 1202 provides significant tax benefits for sellers of qualified small... Read More

That’ll Work! Or, Will It? The Tricky Nature of Trademark Specimens of Use!

Anyone can file a trademark whether the mark is being used or not. However, a trademark will only be “Registered” after proof of use is submitted to the USPTO through what is called a “Specimen of Use”. A Specimen of Use is exactly that, an example that is submitted to the USPTO showing how the trademark is actually being used in commerce. Sounds... Read More

Navigating ESOP Distributions: Method, Form, and Policy

Understanding ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) distribution requirements are crucial for compliant operation of your ESOP and managing distribution and repurchase obligations. ESOP plan designs and distribution terms can vary significantly, but all ESOPs are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and tax rules. In this... Read More

Government Relations Update - October 17, 2024 REC Summary

The Revenue Estimating Conference (“REC”) met Thursday (10.17.24) as part of their standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. REC members Kraig Paulsen (Gov.’s Appointee), Jennifer Acton (LSA), and Jeff Plagge (Public Member) serve on the three-member panel. A summary of the information discussed during the meeting is below,... Read More

ESOP SELLER PERSPECTIVES – UNDERSTANDING SECTION 1042 IN ESOP SALES

Understanding Section 1042: A Tax-Efficient Strategy for ESOP Sales In the realm of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Section 1042 of the Internal Revenue Code offers a significant tax advantage for business owners looking to sell their company to an ESOP. This provision allows for the deferral of capital gains taxes upon the sale of... Read More

DEATH, TAXES & TRADEMARK SCAMS!

As an Intellectual Property Attorney, there are three unavoidable forces in the universe: (1) Death, (2) Taxes, and (3) Trademark Scam Letters. An unfortunate reality today is that at least one Trademark Scam Letter follows virtually every trademark filing. For this reason, we tell all of our clients to be extra vigilant about these Trademark Scam... Read More

ERISA FIDUCIARY DUTIES AND CYBERSECURITY

The intersection of fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and cybersecurity has become increasingly prominent in our digital world. ERISA fiduciaries are responsible for managing retirement plans prudently and solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries. As cyber threats grow, ensuring the... Read More