Maine Law Court decision demonstrates need for caution in negotiating agreements
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court recently held that two attorneys verbally entered a binding settlement agreement during a deposition in a probate matter, even though no formal written agreement was ever signed or agreed to. This case highlights the importance of using clear language during negotiations that no agreement is final until a formal, written… Read more »
Gene R. Libby selected for inclusion in Best Attorneys in Maine 2014
Gene R. Libby has been selected by his peers to be included in the Best Lawyers 2014 Edition of The Best Attorneys in Maine. Gene is a founding partner of Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion, LLC of Kennebunk, Maine, and he has been recognized by Best Lawyers both nationally and in Maine for the past 10… Read more »
Timothy O’Brien and Tyler Smith obtain favorable decision for client in “whistleblower” action
Timothy J. O’Brien and Tyler J. Smith recently obtained a recommended decision favorable to their client on a motion for summary judgment filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maine. Tim and Tyler represented an employer who discharged an employee for insubordinate behavior. After being discharged, the employee filed a complaint in… Read more »
Brian Champion speaks on privacy and data security issues at Maine State Bar Association meeting
On June 26, 2014, Attorney Brian L. Champion was a featured speaker at the Maine State Bar Association Summer Meeting held at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine. Mr. Champion’s presentation – Privacy and Data Security – addressed the current state of privacy and data security issues facing companies and employers and underscored the serious organizational,… Read more »
Target Shareholders urged to remove board members due to data breach
According to an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (05/29/14), a proxy advisor – Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) – has recommended that seven of ten Target board members should not be re-elected at the retailer’s annual meeting next month on the basis that those directors failed to protect the company against a massive data breach… Read more »
High Costs of Data Breaches Have Cost Target’s Chairman, President, and CEO Greg Steinhafel His Job
According to an article in the Washington Post (05/05/2014), Target has announced that Greg Steinhafel has agreed to step down immediately as the Chairman, President, and CEO of the company. According to the Post, this resignation by Mr. Steinhafel has occurred nearly five months after the retailer disclosed its data breaches on December 19, 2013, that, according… Read more »
FTC pushes to regulate corporate cyber security
As reported in the Wall Street Journal (Tuesday, April 8, 2014), United States District Court Judge Esther Salas in New Jersey has rejected claims by Wyndham Worldwide Corp. that the FTC does not have power to regulate corporate data security issues. According to the WSJ, the federal court ruled on Monday that the FTC’s authority allowed it to bring… Read more »
U.S. Supreme Court rules that severance payments are taxable wages
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently ruled that severance payments are taxable wages under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). In a unanimous decision issued on March 25, 2014, the Court overturned a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, which had earlier ruled that severance payments are not taxable wages. … Read more »
16th annual Mary’s Walk raises nearly $300,000 for cancer research in Maine
Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion is pleased to have been a major sponsor of the 16th annual Mary’s Walk and Kerrymen Pub 5K Road Race held in Saco, Maine on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Mary’s Walk began in 1999 as a unique way to recognize and remember Mary Kerry Libby, a much-loved mother, wife, sister,… Read more »
Employees Who “Bring Their Own Device” to Work (BYOD)
By Brian L. Champion. Long gone are the days when the only technology concerns with employees involved flip phones and hand held dictation tape recorders. Today, not only are employees more mobile by using their own personal computers, but smart phone sales exceed 500 million per year and the advent and sale of tablets is… Read more »