Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements

Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements

Arguably, a key dynamic in business is a healthy relationship between the company and its high-level employees such as sales staff and senior managers.

Staff at this level have unfiltered access to a company’s unique information.  While having the right individuals in the right roles is paramount to your business’ success, having protections in place for the employer should these employees leave ensures little interruption in daily operations.  Ruder Ware’s attorneys help negotiate, prepare, and if needed, enforce a variety of written agreements designed to provide guidance to employees about their rights and responsibilities and protections for your business.

Agreements might include:

  • Employment agreements
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Non-compete/non-solicitation
  • Severance agreements
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Executive compensation and deferred compensation

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

Noncitizens Should Review their Compliance with Registration and Change of Address Notification Requirements

Posted on April 8, 2025 by

On March 12th, the Department of Homeland Security published an Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) partially implementing section 7 of Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025) (the “Executive Order”). Section 7 of the Executive Order directed the Secretary of Homeland Security, and others, to ensure that all previously unregistered noncitizens […]

USCIS Announces Revised Form I-9

Posted on April 7, 2025 by

On April 2nd, USCIS announced they had made available a revised Form I-9 for employment eligibility verification. The new form, available at the USCIS website, has an edition date of 01/20/25 and an expiration date of 05/31/27. USCIS will also continue to accept the following previous versions of the form: Form I-9 (08/01/2023 edition) with […]

DHS Announces Termination of CHNV Parole Program

Posted on March 26, 2025 by

On March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice terminating the categorical parole program for certain aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (“CHNV”) and their immediate family members. The program is set to end on April 24, 2025. Individuals currently in the United States under the CHNV parole program who […]

USCIS Unveils Key Dates and Fee Increase for FY 2026 H-1B Cap Registration

Posted on February 14, 2025 by

For employers seeking to sponsor foreign national professionals, awareness of the H-1B cap registration deadline is critical. Registration for the FY 2026 H-1B Cap lottery will start at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on March 7 and end at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on March 24. This year, the registration fee has been increased to $215. […]

What to Expect When Your Employee is Expecting Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Posted on February 7, 2025 by and

For many years, employers have been operating within the confines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), and the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (“WFEA”) when a pregnant employee needs time off or an accommodation. Now employers have a new law to consider, and one that is arguably more favorable […]

Employers Should Pay Attention to Major Changes to Immigration Policy Under the Second Trump Administration

Posted on January 23, 2025 by

All employers, regardless of whether they sponsor employees for work visas, should closely monitor the Trump Administration’s evolving immigration policies. This is critical due to an anticipated surge in the enforcement of immigration laws and the potential labor supply disruptions stemming from significant changes to immigration policy. Employers who are unsure about their I-9 compliance, […]

Judge Tosses DOL Overtime Increase – What Employers Should Be Considering and Other Wage & Hour Reminders

Posted on January 14, 2025 by and

On November 15, 2024, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) 2024 overtime rule (“Overtime Rule”). This decision came months after the Overtime Rule went into effect and the first increase to the salary requirement was implemented. Due to the delay […]

IRS Releases New Mileage Rates for 2025

Posted on December 19, 2024 by

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2025 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. The most notable change is the per mile increase for business use mileage. Effective January 1, 2025, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a […]

Breaking News: Judge Tosses Overtime Increase

Posted on November 15, 2024 by and

Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Department of Labor’s (“Department’s”) overtime rule (“Overtime Rule”) finding that the Overtime Rule exceeded the Department’s authority and was unlawful. In the Opinion, the court issued a vacatur which sets aside the rule and makes it no longer binding. This vacatur of the Overtime Rule […]

2025 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2025 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on November 1, 2024 by

On November 1, 2024 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits.  Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2024 – $23,000 2025 – $23,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2024 – $345,000 […]

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