• Related Attorney(s):
• M. David Stallings

• Practice Area(s):
• Estates and Trusts, 
• Tax Law

On November 2, the GOP released its tax reform bill, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H. R. 1), which proposes to phase out the federal estate tax, a.k.a. the “Death Tax,” over the next five years and beginning in 2018 increase the federal estate tax exemption to $10,000,000 per person. The proposed repeal of the estate tax - while flashy for headlines – does not impact the overwhelming majority of estates, which will be affected by several important factors: the extent of your wealth, and where you live.

• Related Attorney(s):
• Michael H. Mannes

• Practice Area(s):
• Community Association Law
• , Condominium and Homeowner Association Law

A new law passed by the Maryland General Assembly (House Bill 789, Chapter 480) and signed by Governor Hogan, changes the definition of Maryland homeowners in community associations who were entitled to vote on amendment of documents.

• Related Attorney(s):
• Alicia D. Stewart

• Practice Area(s):
• Commercial Litigation, 
• Insurance Law, 
• Property Insurance Law

In a scathing, 100-page opinion from the The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Court reiterated that the decision whether to assess attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest under the Pennsylvania bad faith statute is completely within the discretion of the trial court. The court noted that although it may assess attorneys' fees upon a finding of bad faith, it is not required to do so and the party seeking attorneys’ fees bears the burden of demonstrating the reasonableness of the fees, thus denying any fee award after plaintiffs' counsel petitions for $1.1 million in attorneys' fees. 

• Related Attorney(s):
• Paul M. Finamore

• Practice Area(s):
• Employment Law

Employers now have a clear picture of the Department of Labor’s position on its ability to promulgate overtime regulations, but remain unclear as to what the salary level threshold amount to qualify executive, administrative and professional employees as exempt will be in the future. On June 30, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) filed its long-awaited reply brief in State of Nevada et al. v. U.S. Department of Labor, No. 16-41606 (5th Cir.), the appeal regarding the overtime regulations that has been pending in the Fifth Circuit since before President Trump’s inauguration. The reply brief provides insight into DOL’s position on the regulations following the inauguration, a position that was in question until the reply brief was filed.