Labor & Employment Law

Read Family Law updates, news, and legal commentary from leading lawyers and law firms:

News & Analysis as of May 18, 2013

Proskauer’s DOMA Task Force

by Roberta Chevlowe | Proskauer - ERISA Practice Center on 5/14/2013

Proskauer’s Employee Benefits Practice Center’s DOMA Task Force, which is comprised of lawyers from our offices nationwide, regularly advises employers and other plan sponsors on the myriad benefits issues that arise in the...more

Domestic Partner and Same-Sex Marriage Laws: Approval of Washington Marriage Equality Act and Impact on Employee Benefits

by Richard Birmingham, Dipa N. Sudra | Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 11/13/2012

On Nov. 6, 2012, Washington voters approved same-sex marriage in Washington state. This advisory explains the impact of this new law on employee benefit plans and procedures, and revisits the treatment of employee benefits...more

Two New Ordinances Go into Effect in Philadelphia

by Morgan Lewis on 7/3/2012

Covered employers must provide paid sick leave to employees and equal health benefits to employees' life partners. On July 1, two new ordinances went into effect in Philadelphia; both will affect employers that contract...more

Domestic Partner and Same-Sex Marriage Laws in Washington: Marriage Equality Act and Employee Benefits

by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 6/8/2012

On Feb. 13, 2012, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed SB 6239 legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington state. SB 6239 is often referred to as the Marriage Equality Act, and builds on the foundations set by the “everything but...more

New York Employers’ Quarterly Wage and New Hire Reporting Requirements Expanded by Child Support Legislation

by Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP on 8/12/2011

New York employers are now required under recently effective amendments to the New York State Tax Law to report the availability of dependent health care coverage to employees when filing mandatory quarterly wage and new hire...more

Illinois Civil Union Act’s Implications for Employers

by Franczek Radelet P.C. on 6/6/2011

On June 1, 2011, Illinois began recognizing civil unions in accordance with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (the “Act”). The Act’s purpose is to allow same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter...more

Impact of Illinois Civil Union Law on Plans Maintained by Religious Organizations

by McDermott Will & Emery on 5/6/2011

Illinois recently made news when it legalized civil unions beginning June 1, 2011. Because civil union partners will have the same rights as spouses under state law, many religious organizations’ benefit plans could be...more

Civil Unions Legalized in Illinois; Implications for Employee Benefit Plans

by McDermott Will & Emery on 2/3/2011

The recent legalization of civil unions in Illinois raises implications for employee benefit plans. Employers should take action now to prepare for requests for benefit coverage from employees planning to enter to a civil...more

Massachusetts Court Ruling May Have Immediate Effect on Employee Benefits

by Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP on 7/13/2010

On July 8, 2010, a Massachusetts District Court held that the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, specifically in its application to health benefits. Same sex spouses may be covered by health...more