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Federal Court Applies Worker’s Compensation Exclusive Remedy to Asbestos Secondary Exposure Lawsuit

Posted on April 28, 2015 by

Plaintiffs in asbestos personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits often attempt to circumvent the exclusive remedy of worker’s compensation.  The federal district court for the Western District of Wisconsin has recently applied Wisconsin’s exclusive remedy provision to dismiss a Wisconsin employer from an asbestos lawsuit brought by an employee.  The case is Boyer v. Weyerhauser […]

Attorney Aric Burch Joins Ruder Ware

Posted on April 28, 2015

Ruder Ware is pleased to announce the addition of Aric Burch to our Wausau attorney team.  Aric advises individuals and business owners in all aspects of personal estate and business planning. As part of his practice, Aric facilitates the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses. As an estate planner, Aric is a skillful […]

The Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Applies the “Significant Nexus” Test in Wetlands Litigation

Posted on March 16, 2015 by

On March 10, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an unpublished decision in Precon Development Corporation, Incorporated v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (link to Decision).  Unpublished decisions are not binding in the Fourth Circuit. The decision applies the “significant nexus test” of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers […]

“In Sickness and in Health…”: DOL Issues Final Rule Granting FMLA Rights to Married Same-Sex Couples

Posted on March 10, 2015 by

The DOL issued a Final Rule revising the Family and Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) definition so that eligible employees in legal same-sex and common law marriages can take FMLA leave to care for their spouse or family member, regardless of where they live. The regulation is effective March 27, 2015. The DOL has moved from […]

Wisconsin Will Become A Right-To-Work State This Week?

Posted on February 23, 2015 by

Since the news broke last Friday, it is becoming very clear that Wisconsin will become a right-to-work state in the very near future.  A Ruder Ware alumni attorney and a colleague had a conversation about this proposed legislation recently which we have summarized here. Ruder Atty: It looks like the Legislature is going to consider […]

Bah Humbug: NLRB’s Long-Awaited E-Mail Access Decision Is Sure to Put a Damper on Holiday Cheer for Non-Union Employers

Posted on December 12, 2014 by

On December 11, 2014, a divided [3-2, along partisan lines] National Labor Relations Board (“Board”) issued its long-awaited decision in Purple Communications, Inc., which many management-side labor relations professionals correctly predicted would fundamentally change how union organizing is conducted at nonunion workplaces [a copy of the Board’s decision is available here]. Through Purple Communications, Inc., 361 NLRB No. […]

2015 Standard Mileage Rates

Posted on December 10, 2014 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2015. Effective January 1, 2015, the optional standard mileage rates will increase to 57.5 cents per mile for business transportation, and decrease to 23 cents per mile for […]

Adjust Job Duties

Posted on November 3, 2014 by

A recent decision by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reaffirmed the duty of employers to consider minor adjustments to job duties as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This decision, while dealing with the ADA, reinforces the position taken by the Equal Right Division in Wisconsin that adjustment of work […]

U.S. Supreme Court Reviews Notice Requirement

Posted on October 29, 2014 by

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review a decision on a case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against national clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. which focuses on the duty of an employee to request an accommodation for religious beliefs. This decision will have a significant impact on employers and […]

2015 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2015 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on October 24, 2014 by

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Many of the limits shown below increased from last year. All of the above are plan year limits (i.e., for the plan year which begins in 2015), with the exception of the Code Section 401(k) and Code Section 403(b) […]