News & Insights

Former Governor O’Malley signed into law a significant change to the Maryland Estate Tax that went into effect on January 1, 2015.  Prior to the new law, Marylanders had a $1,000,000 applicable exclusion from estate tax. Beginning this year, the applicable exclusion amount changes as follo... Read more >

People tend to associate Pre-Nuptial Agreements (or “Pre-Nups”) with the rich and famous, when, in fact, it is a useful tool for many of us. If you are planning to get married after having established yourself financially, you should think about protecting yourself and your assets. One way to pr... Read more >

The Maryland Court of Appeals recently decided a case that extends statutory immunity to a health care provider who evaluates, but in good faith decides not to admit, a patient for involuntary psychiatric care. The case, Williams v. Peninsula Reg’l Med. Ctr., involved a mother who brought her s... Read more >

Effective January 1, 2015, employers with 15 or more full-time employees in Montgomery County, Maryland will be prohibited from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history prior to the conclusion of the first interview.  Montgomery County is the second jurisdiction in Maryland to pass ... Read more >

News of the Ebola virus in the United States has caused significant fear and paranoia among many, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and other public health agencies assuring us that the risk of contracting the virus is extremely low (you are more likely to be struck ... Read more >

Under a new Maryland law, physicians may be approved by the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission to certify a patient’s use of medical marijuana for one or more qualifying medical conditions.  Marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol continue to be Schedule I controlled dangerous substan... Read more >

    The controversial “ban the box” legislation that significantly impacts the majority of Baltimore City employers will go into effect on August 13, 2014. The new law prohibits certain employers in the City of Baltimore from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal histo... Read more >

This year the General Assembly enacted a new law and revised existing laws to further protect victims of domestic violence.  A summary of each of these laws follows. Effective Immediately: The Maryland Insurance Administration is now required to create a standardized form to allow indi... Read more >

Bill Sammons was a guest columnist for Jurist on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding DNA collection from certain arrestees as a routine booking procedure in Maryland.  The article, “Embracing DNA Collection as a Routine Booking Procedure,” looks at the decision and its effect... Read more >

Starting October 1, 2013, Maryland employers with at least 15 employees are required to provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities that are caused or contributed to by pregnancy.  In addition, covered employers are also required to provide employees with information about t... Read more >