News & Insights

Real estate developers, builders, and contractors regularly enter into agreements that contain the words, often in the "testimonium" clause just before the signature lines, "witness my hand and seal" or "signed and sealed," and probably think little of it. And those who operate under a corporate str... Read more >

Commercial leases, particularly leases in retail shopping centers, often contain provisions (known as "use exclusives") that prevent the landlord from leasing space in the same mall, center, or area to a business that sells products or services similar to those sold by an existing tenant.  Coun... Read more >

For situations in which a couple separates, but one spouse does not want to end the marriage, a new law in Maryland shortens the separation period to file for a no fault divorce from two years to one year. Prior to the enactment of this law, if husband and wife "mutually and voluntarily" agreed t... Read more >

Substantial statutory and regulatory requirements are already in place to regulate Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).  Nevertheless, the Maryland legislature enacted legislation in the 2012 session that imposed additional requirements on CCRCs.  A major change was made in the ... Read more >

A new law takes effect October 1, 2012, prohibiting Maryland employers from requiring employees to report for certain evening and night shifts after serving on jury duty. The prohibitions apply to shifts starting at or after 5 p.m. on the day the employee appears for jury service, and shifts startin... Read more >

The Maryland General Assembly and Maryland Appellate Courts made several important decisions in recent months concerning family law. Here are the highlights of those decisions: Same Sex Divorce in Maryland is Legal Maryland's highest court has held that same sex couples who were married in ano... Read more >

On February 6, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor issued final Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations that take effect March 8, 2013. These regulations relate specifically to leave taken by family members of military personnel, among other issues. FMLA provides two types of military-related fam... Read more >

Diane presented "Negligent Credentialing: Preparing for the Next Wave of Malpractice Claims," at the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management's 2011 conference. ... Read more >

A landmark decision was recently issued by a federal appeals court that may change the way secured parties conduct their due diligence for secured transactions.  In United States v. Crestmark Bank, 412 F.3d 653 (6th Cir. 2005), the Court found that IRS tax liens filed under a variation of the d... Read more >