An engagement ring is one of the most expensive items a person can purchase or receive. According to a study by TheKnot in 2022, the average cost of an engagement ring is $5,8001. It holds even more value as a proposal of...more
An engagement ring can be a powerful symbol of love and affection—but that sparkly rock can also empty out your bank account in a hurry. So, if your generous gift doesn’t precede a trip down the aisle or a lifelong marriage,...more
Jian Tang and Robert Campbell met in May 2016 on Match.com., an online dating site. Things appear to have progressed nicely. They began to live together and in March 2017, Campbell came forth with a proposal of marriage. Not...more
In a recent post, I discussed three situations in which a debtor in bankruptcy might find itself dispossessed of assets that appeared to be property of the bankruptcy estate. This article expands on that general idea and...more
What happens when the settlor (i.e., creator) of a trust imposes a condition precedent on receipt of a distribution from the trust, but the condition cannot be met because the circumstances have changed? Is the beneficiary...more
In his first full day in office, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 2, tightening ethics restrictions and disclosure requirements on certain State employees and public officers. The following State employees and...more
The Maine legislature passed with broad bipartisan approval L.D. 911, An Act to Prohibit Certain Gifts to Health Care Practitioners. The legislation prohibits gifts to practitioners who are licensed to prescribe and...more
On Valentine’s Day, Zack takes Kelly, his high school sweetheart who goes to a different college, to the Max for a romantic dinner. At the end of the meal Zack says, “Kelly, I want us to promise each other that after college...more
As a public official in California, whether elected or appointed, volunteer or employee, you need to be aware of the rules regarding your receipt and reporting of gifts, as well as the traps for the unwary that can lead to...more
Fund compliance policies and procedures should address the receipt of gifts or entertainment by fund advisory personnel, according to guidance published by the SEC’s Division of Investment Management....more
The Vermont Attorney General (VT AG) posted its third round of enforcement actions of 2015 against a manufacturer of surgical microscopes and a dental products company....more
"Pro-Active" Approach Already Resulted in Fines for Public Officials - The Fair Political Practices Commission has initiated a proactive approach to auditing and investigating gift reporting failures by government...more
In the three months since the Communist Party of China (the “CPC”) convened its 18th National Congress in November 2012, the CPC’s new leaders, including newly appointed CPC General Secretary and China’s incoming president Xi...more