Attorney Tyler Smith successfully argues “rising blood alcohol” defense in OUI case
Representing a client in a hearing before the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Attorney Tyler Smith successfully argued a “rising blood alcohol” defense in an operating under the influence case. Our client was allegedly witnessed consuming alcohol in a parking lot. The witness called the police, who promptly responded and stopped the client after he… Read more »
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issues ruling on employee use of medical marijuana
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently decided that employees of Massachusetts corporations and of out-of-state corporations doing business with operations in Massachusetts are permitted to use medical marijuana and cannot be fired for failing a drug test due to medical marijuana usage. On July 17, 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the case of… Read more »
Non-compliant appendix may result in dismissal of appeal
A recent Maine Law Court decision provides a warning to the bar and public: failure to comply with Rule 8 of the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure may result in dismissal of an appeal. Rule 8 describes specific requirements for the appendix to be filed on appeal, including size, contents, and order of documents. In… Read more »
Maine law permitting recreational use of marijuana creates uncertainty for employers
Maine is now one of eight states – Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington – and the District of Columbia that have legalized the use of recreational marijuana. Although retail sales of marijuana have been delayed to February 2018, the recreational use of marijuana became legal on January 30, 2017. Once the Maine… Read more »
Seventh Circuit holds that sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit released a landmark decision on April 4, 2017, opening the door for Title VII claims for alleged discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate on the basis of a person’s… Read more »
Michael E. Saucier to speak at CLM Alliance Annual Conference
Attorney Michael E. Saucier will be among the presenters at the 2017 Claims Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on March 31. Michael’s presentation will be on “Recent Issues and Discernible Trends in Employment Practices Litigation.” The focus of the presentation will include best practices for employers, risk managers and counsel when… Read more »
New Hampshire removes license requirement to carry concealed weapon
On Wednesday, February 22, 2017, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed legislation removing the requirement that people get a license to carry concealed guns in the State of New Hampshire, according to a report in the Portland Press Herald. The article goes on to state that the legislation now makes New Hampshire the 12th… Read more »
The use of expert testimony regarding real estate valuations in divorce actions
Areas in which to use expert testimony in a divorce action are limited only by counsel’s creativity based on the unique challenges each case presents. The most basic form of expert testimony in a divorce trial is real estate appraisal. Although the owner of a property can testify to its value, Nelson v. Leo’s Auto… Read more »
Tyler Smith is selected for 2017 Maine State Bar Association Leadership Academy
Tyler Smith, an associate attorney at Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion, LLC, was selected to participate in the 2017 Maine State Bar Association Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is an eight month program designed to foster professional growth and leadership skills among member attorneys who have been in practice for more than two years but… Read more »
Kennebunk High School Mock Trial Team competes in State finals
Congratulations to the members of 2016 Kennebunk High School Mock Trial Team for their stellar performance in the State Finals of the Maine High School Mock Trial Competition. The team, ranging from freshmen to seniors, was led by teacher coach Tom Dupuis of Kennebunk High School and attorney coach Paige Streeter of Libby O’Brien Kingsley… Read more »