Correctly classifying workers as employees or independent contractors is essential not only for complying with wage and hour laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and certain tax obligations, but for several other…
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/ Labor & Employment Law, Taxation
On May 21, 2025, the North Carolina Court of Appeals filed its decision in Nelson v. Smith, No. COA 24-646 (2025).
The plaintiff in the case was an employee of Cortech Solutions, Inc. There was allegedly extensive mold…
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/ Civil Procedure, Commercial Law & Contracts, Workers' Compensation
Classifying a worker an “employee” versus an “independent contractor” is not as simple as checking whether they receive a W-2 or a 1099. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) uses the economic reality test to determine whether a…
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/ Labor & Employment Law
Is Your Worker an Employee or an Independent Contractor?
Determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is not just a matter of paperwork. It is a legal classification with significant implications…
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/ Labor & Employment Law, Taxation
You closed the deal. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur acquiring your first business or you’re expanding the services and capacity of your long-standing enterprise, closing marks the culmination of a lot of effort. But the legal…
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/ Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Commercial Law & Contracts, Mergers & Acquisitions
In late May 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued a preliminary ruling in Trump v. Wilcox that allowed President Trump to remove leaders at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Merit Systems Protection Board,…
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/ Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Labor & Employment Law
The North Carolina Business Court recently issued an opinion in Carolina Medical Partners, PLLC v. Shah. The case involves a flurry of litigation arising out of the breakup of a medical practice and allegations of impropriety by…
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/ Business Organizations, Business Torts, Commercial Law & Contracts
With 53% of Gen Z self-identifying as neurodivergent, today’s employers must adapt to a changing workforce and understand the legal protections afforded to individuals with disabilities. Creating inclusive workplaces isn’t just…
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/ Civil Rights, Labor & Employment Law
Since beginning his second term, President Trump has issued a wave of executive orders reshaping tariff policy. For a deeper dive, check out this firm’s earlier posts: “Which Trade Pill to Swallow: The Red Pill or Blue Pill” and…
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/ Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, International Law & Trade
After months of speculation, the Federal Trade Commission has officially dropped its appeals in the two cases that struck down its nationwide noncompete ban. In a 3-1 vote earlier this month, the agency decided to walk away from…
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/ Administrative Law, Commercial Law & Contracts, Labor & Employment Law
The North Carolina Business Court recently dismissed a lawsuit brought by members of N.C. State’s legendary 1983 NCAA men’s basketball championship team in Members of N.C. State Univ.’s 1983 NCAA Men’s Basketball Nat’l…
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/ Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Art, Entertainment, & Sports Law, Intellectual Property
The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) is a federal law that establishes a standard minimum wage and overtime pay for eligible employees. The FLSA also provides that employers who violate its requirements can be held…
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/ Administrative Law, Labor & Employment Law
On July 23, 2025, the North Carolina Business Court denied summary judgment in United Therapeutics Corp. v. Liquidia Technologies, Inc., allowing claims of trade secret misappropriation and unfair trade practices to proceed to…
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/ Civil Procedure, Business Torts, Intellectual Property
In the competitive landscape of branding and intellectual property, conducting a trademark search before adopting a brand name or filing a trademark application is not just best practice—it’s strategically necessary. This…
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/ Intellectual Property, International Law & Trade
The healthcare mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by factors such as value-based care, private equity, digital health, and labor shortages. In this article, we explore the key legal and…
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/ Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Health
