Author Info for Verrill

Eric Altholz

Coming Soon to Your 401(k) Plan: Tontines and Other Exotic Investments!

Participants in 401(k) plans and other defined contribution retirement plans may soon have the opportunity to invest their plan accounts in a variety of high-risk and potentially high-return assets. Touted as an effort to… more

401k, Benefit Plan Sponsors, Department of Labor (DOL), Digital Assets, Employee Benefits

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Tawny Alvarez

FLSA Salary Exemption Hike Set Aside Nationally: What to Do Now?

Earlier today, November 15, 2024, United States District Court Judge Sean D. Jordan of the Eastern District of Texas, granted summary judgment against the Department of Labor determining that the United States Department of… more

Corporate Counsel, Department of Labor (DOL), Employer Liability Issues, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Labor Reform

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Nicholas Anania

Future of Non-Competes: Insights into Executive Order Promoting Competition in the American Economy

President Biden’s June 9th Executive Order (EO) on Promoting Competition in the American Economy touches on a handful of potential measures and initiatives aimed at promoting competition throughout the U.S. workforce. Section… more

Biden Administration, Competition, Employment Contract, Executive Orders, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

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Scott Anderson

Newsflash: Rockweed Not a Fish

In this episode of Verrill Voices, environmental attorneys Gordon Smith and Scott Anderson discuss how private property rights could save the world, or at least the coast of Maine, when the fate of ecologically vital rockweed… more

Land Owners, Land Use Restrictions, ME Supreme Court, Private Property, Property Owners

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Charles Bacall

Is a Benefit Corporation Right for You?

The “benefit corporation” is a relatively new type of business entity. In 2010, Maryland became the first state in the U.S. to enact a statute recognizing and providing for the organization of this form of entity. In September,… more

Benefit Corporations, Board of Directors, Corporate Entities, Corporate Governance, New Legislation

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Jessica Bailot

2023 Estate Planning Update

This alert from Verrill’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group highlights the latest changes to the income tax and transfer tax landscape. The alert addresses the SECURE ACT 2.0, federal and state transfer tax updates for… more

Charitable Donations, Employee Benefits, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Taxes

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Thomas Bean

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Clarifies the Contours of the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine in Internal Investigations

In Attorney General v. Facebook, Inc., No. SJC-12496 (March 24, 2021),[i] the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clarified the scope of protection afforded by the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine to… more

Attorney General, Attorney-Client Privilege, Facebook, Internal Investigations, State and Local Government

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Amanda Beauregard

Telehealth and the Evolving Landscape of Medicare Requirements

Telehealth is an important and growing part of healthcare delivery that a wide range of patients and healthcare providers have come to rely on for access to care and continuity of treatment. Telehealth took on an especially… more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Healthcare, Healthcare Reform, Legislative Agendas

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Phillip Bixby

The PPP Litigation Wave Is Coming: Anticipated “Qui Tam” Lawsuits Under the False Claims Act

Many businesses and other borrowers, such as nonprofit organizations, that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are now several weeks into disbursing their PPP loans for payroll, mortgage or lease payments, and… more

Borrowers, CARES Act, Certificate of Need, False Claims Act (FCA), Financial Stimulus

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Lisa Boehm

Plan Sponsors: How much thought have you given to your defined contribution retirement plan’s default beneficiary hierarchy?

Despite efforts by plan sponsors and third-party administrators/plan recordkeepers to communicate to defined contribution retirement plan participants the importance of designating a beneficiary to receive any remaining vested… more

Beneficiaries, Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Benefits, Estate Planning, Fiduciary Duty

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Katharine Brite

2023 Massachusetts Tax Update

Massachusetts Estate Tax: For decedents dying on or after January 1, 2023, there is no Massachusetts estate tax for an estate under $2,000,000. The law does not adjust the filing threshold so state tax returns may still be… more

Business Taxes, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Estate-Tax Exemption, Income Taxes

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Robert Brooks

2021 Employment Law Update: Part 12 – Tips and Trends for 2021 and 2022

Join Verrill attorneys Elizabeth Connellan Smith, Douglas P. Currier, Emily Coombs Waddell, Richard G. Moon, and Robert C. Brooks as they sum up the year's trends in labor & employment and suggest tips for how to be prepared… more

Class Action, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Discrimination, Employment Litigation, Hiring & Firing

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Juliet Browne

Mitigating Impacts of Solar Development on High Value Agricultural Land

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry issued final rules on Permitting Solar Energy Developments on High Value-Agricultural Land, with an effective date of April 20, 2025 (the “Rule”). The Rule… more

Agribusiness, Agricultural Sector, Final Rules, New Legislation, Permits

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Julie Braverman Bruno

Private Clients Group Client Alert

There have been a few important law and tax changes over the course of 2023 and we in the Private Clients Group here at Verrill wanted to make you aware of the recent changes, such as 1) new strict corporate reporting… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Transparency Act, Estate Planning, Filing Deadlines

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Anthony Calcagni

A ‘Healthy’ Approach to Possible Commercial Lease Defaults in the Age of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As COVID-19 cases mount across the country, the inability to perform commercial lease obligations due to unforeseen circumstances has moved to the forefront. In contract-speak, unforeseen circumstances that lead to… more

Commercial Leases, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Force Majeure Clause

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James Cohen

Maine PUC Amends Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Rules (Chapter 324)

On November 3, 2023, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (the “Commission”) issued an Order adopting amendments to its Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Rule (Chapter 324)… more

Energy Sector, Legislative Agendas, Public Utilities Commission, Renewable Energy, Rulemaking Process

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Scott Connolly

Conducting Reductions In Force (RIFs): 10 Practical Tips for Employers to Avoid Lawsuits

We recently have observed an increase in the number of employers conducting group layoffs or “RIFs” in order to cut costs because of the economic downturn. This trend may only worsen in the coming year. Employers must be aware… more

ADEA, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Layoffs

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Kimberly Couch

A Primer on COBRA Continuation Coverage for Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts

It is a common practice for employers to offer employees a health care flexible spending account (“Health FSA”) option under a cafeteria plan. However, employers (and their COBRA administrators) may not be aware that Health FSAs… more

COBRA, Corporate Counsel, Employee Benefits, Excise Tax, Flexible Spending Accounts

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Douglas Currier

FTC’s Non-Compete Ban: Status & Next Steps

Yesterday afternoon (August 20, 2024), the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Final Rule banning most non-competition agreements between employers and… more

Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Contract, Federal Bans, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

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Kelly Donahue

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say…Gorelick v. Star Markets: A Study in Indemnity

Indemnity clauses in contracts are a valuable tool for allocating risk among the contracting parties, most often risk attendant to personal injury and property damage, and their effect can be far-reaching. Despite their… more

Appeals, Breach of Contract, Contract Disputes, Contract Terms, Indemnification Clauses

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Jonathan Dunitz

Navigating Maine's Renewable Energy Rate Revisions: Key Insights on PUC Docket No. 2024-00137 and 2024-00149

The Maine PUC has recently opened two related dockets that will significantly impact the renewable energy industry. The first, Docket No. 2024-00137, is a follow-on docket to the PUC’s Investigation into the Stranded Cost Rate… more

Electricity, Energy Sector, Public Comment, Public Utilities Commission, Renewable Energy

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Patrick Duplessis

Fair Use and AI: What Buyers and Investors Need to Know

Buy-side investors typically require the target company to represent that it has not infringed on the copyrights or other intellectual property of any third party. Typical language might read: “The operation of the Company as… more

Acquisitions, Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, Copyright Infringement, Corporate Counsel

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Peter Durning

The Gathering PFAS Storm

When working with my colleagues on real estate and corporate business transactions, I feel like I can be a nay-sayer, bringing up the considerations of potential liability for PFAS-related releases during environmental due… more

Contamination, Environmental Policies, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Hazardous Substances, PFAS

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David Dyer

Fair Use and AI: What Buyers and Investors Need to Know

Buy-side investors typically require the target company to represent that it has not infringed on the copyrights or other intellectual property of any third party. Typical language might read: “The operation of the Company as… more

Acquisitions, Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, Copyright Infringement, Corporate Counsel

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Maye Emlein

Maine DEP Issues New Maine Construction General Permit

On January 14, 2025, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) issued a new Maine Construction General Permit (“MCGP”). The new permit replaces the prior 2006 MCGP, which expired and had been administratively… more

Clean Water Act, Construction Industry, Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Policies, Erosion

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Anya Endsley

Permanent Exemptions and New Deductions: What the 2025 Tax Law Means for Estate and Tax Planning

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the 2025 Budget Reconciliation bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“Act”). This legislation extends several provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”)… more

Charitable Donations, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Federal Budget, Generation-Skipping Transfer

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Hans Eysenbach

What You Need to Know about Maine’s New Department of Energy Resources

Maine just launched a new cabinet-level energy policy office. Last month, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1270 into law, creating the new Maine Department of Energy Resources. This cabinet-level agency will lead energy policy… more

Energy Policy, Energy Sector, Government Agencies, New Legislation, Procurement Guidelines

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Michael Fee

“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you eight times…” HHS OIG Issues Another Audit Report on Hospitals’ Failure to Report Credits for Explanted Cardiac Devices and Lays the Groundwork Collection of Overpayments

Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issues dozens of audit reports. While each is important in its own way, some stand out with language that appears to reflect… more

Audit Reports, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Enforcement Actions, Medical Devices, OIG

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Andrew Ferrer

Legal Readiness for AI in Healthcare: A Provider’s Quick Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries and is poised to bring transformative change in healthcare delivery, drug discovery, diagnostics, and data analysis and communication. This technology is… more

Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, Data Security, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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Regina Flaherty

Opportunity Fund Investors Prepare to Zone-In

Treasury Provides Additional Clarity on Opportunity Zones by Issuing Second Round of Proposed Regulations - On April 17, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued its second set of proposed regulations (the “New… more

Anti-Abuse Rule, Business Operations, Capital Gains, Capital Gains Tax, Commercial Leases

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Gregory Fryer

No Need to Report That Your Domestic Entity is Now Exempt from BOI Reporting Requirements

Through an Interim Final Rule that became effective March 26, 2025 (the “IFR”), the U.S. Treasury Department took action to exclude all U.S.-formed entities from the BOI[1] reporting regime under the Corporate Transparency Act… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Transparency Act, Exemptions, Filing Requirements

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Katherine Galloway

2023 Estate Planning Update

This alert from Verrill’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group highlights the latest changes to the income tax and transfer tax landscape. The alert addresses the SECURE ACT 2.0, federal and state transfer tax updates for… more

Charitable Donations, Employee Benefits, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Taxes

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John Giffune

New Rules for Apprentices on Energy Projects Come with Uncertainty for Contractors and Developers

On January 1, 2021, a new law went into effect setting benchmarks for use of apprentices on energy generation facility construction projects. Enacted in 2019, the law was part of “An Act to Establish a Green New Deal for Maine”… more

Apprenticeships, Construction Project, Contractors, Energy Projects, Energy Sector

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Kenneth Ginder

Does ERISA Work?

On Labor Day, September 2, 1974, Gerald Ford signed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) into law. ERISA governs the employee benefit plans (i.e., retirement and welfare plans) of most private employers in the… more

Benefit Plan Sponsors, Disclosure Requirements, Employee Benefits, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Employee Rights

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Mark Googins

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program: An Overview

Good news, bad news. The good news is that the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) look like they will provide a much needed lifeline for small businesses of every stripe,… more

CARES Act, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Relief Measures, SBA

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Kathryn Graber

What Commercial Landlords Need to Know About Massachusetts Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures

On April 20, Massachusetts enacted a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 emergency (House, No. 4647). While the Act addresses residential tenants and residential foreclosures as well as commercial… more

Commercial Tenants, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Eviction, Foreclosure, Landlords

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Karen Hartford

Preventive Services vs. Preventive Care

In the context of medical coverage, the terms “Preventive Services” and “Preventive Care” are often used interchangeably. The two terms, however, have very different meanings. Understanding the difference can have significant… more

Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits, HDHP, Health Insurance, HSA

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Gail Magenau Hire

Balancing Local Control and State Mandates: The Implications of the MBTA Communities Act Ruling

The state’s highest court has affirmed the Legislature’s power to force towns to adopt denser, transit-friendly zoning. In 2021, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act (G. L. c. 40A, § 3A) amended… more

Administrative Procedure Act, Affordable Housing, Constitutional Challenges, Enforcement, Government Agencies

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Sara Hirshon

Wait Before You Sue – Supreme Court Rules Copyright Registration Must Be Approved Before Filing Infringement Suit

If you come across your photos, videos, music, or other creative content being used without your permission, you’ll need to wait in order to sue for infringement. On Monday, March 4, 2019, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in… more

Appeals, Copyright, Copyright Exhaustion, Copyright Infringement, Copyright Registration

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Eugene Ho

Seeking Foreign Investments? New Law Says You May Have to Wait

Unbeknownst to many, a wrench has been thrown into the funding plans of many U.S. startups and other growing U.S. companies by virtue of President Trump’s enactment of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018… more

CFIUS, Covered Transactions, Critical Infrastructure Sectors, Export Controls, Federal Pilot Programs

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Nathaniel Hull

Disgorgement Upon Insolvency: Continuing Uncertainty

Litigation and Trial attorneys Nate Hull and Stephen Segal authored an article entitled "Disgorgement Upon Insolvency: Continuing Uncertainty." Nate and Stephen discuss the various approaches taken by bankruptcy courts when… more

Chapter 11, Chapter 7, Commercial Bankruptcy, Disgorgement, Distribution Rules

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William Jewett

Do We Have to Make It a Top Hat Plan?

Employers and their compensation advisors often assume that an arrangement to pay employees in the future for work done over time will be subject to the rules for ERISA pension plans unless it is limited to a “select group of… more

Compliance, Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits, Employee Retention, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

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Cheryl Johnson

No Longer a Walk in The Park - Entity Formation Under the Corporate Transparency Act (Updated)

Presently, forming a corporation, LLC or other entity in the U.S. can be done on a largely anonymous basis, without naming its owners and with only limited disclosures about managers, officers and directors. Under the Corporate… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Governance, Corporate Transparency Act, Doing Business

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Elizabeth Johnston

Compliance Check: Massachusetts Employers, Do Your Applications Contain Required Lie Detector Disclosures?

Last year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a decision in Baker v. CVS Health Corporation with an important reminder to employers regarding their required disclosure in employment applications… more

Disclosure Requirements, Employee Rights, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Litigation, Hiring & Firing

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Jennifer Kleiner

"EDGAR Next" Goes Live

On March 24, 2025, the rule and form amendments to EDGAR that were adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 27, 2024 became effective and the EDGAR Next dashboard went live. These amendments are… more

Corporate Governance, EDGAR, Filing Requirements, Final Rules, New Regulations

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Robert Laplaca

It's Not a Lottery, It's Just Deceptive

Elon Musk's Surprising Defense to $1MM Election Giveaway - In a stunning argument to the PA Attorney General’s claim that Elon Musk’s $1MM Election Giveaway is an illegal lottery, yesterday Musk’s lawyer’s argued that it was… more

Contests & Promotions, Elon Musk, Injunctions, Likelihood of Confusion, Lottery

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Victoria Larson

Healthcare Costs Demystified: Trump's New Executive Order on Healthcare Price Transparency Explained

President Trump’s Executive Order 14224 reinforces and expands a 2019 Executive Order which aimed to improve healthcare price transparency. On February 25, 2025, President Trump signed a new 2025 Executive Order entitled “Making… more

Compliance, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Enforcement, Executive Orders, Health Care Providers

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David Lazarus

Maine, New Hampshire, & Vermont Remain DOJ Health Care Enforcement Priorities: Targeted Federal Enforcement Presents Serious Risk

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently emphasized that Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are priorities for health care investigations and anticipated significant enforcement. Even well-managed (and… more

DEA, Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Distribution, Enforcement Actions, Healthcare

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Matthew Leonard

Private Clients Group Client Alert

There have been a few important law and tax changes over the course of 2023 and we in the Private Clients Group here at Verrill wanted to make you aware of the recent changes, such as 1) new strict corporate reporting… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Transparency Act, Estate Planning, Filing Deadlines

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Rebecca Lessard

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark is issued by the… more

Federal v State Law Application, State and Local Government, Trademark Licenses, Trademark Registration, Trademarks

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Tom Letourneau

Permanent Exemptions and New Deductions: What the 2025 Tax Law Means for Estate and Tax Planning

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the 2025 Budget Reconciliation bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“Act”). This legislation extends several provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”)… more

Charitable Donations, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Federal Budget, Generation-Skipping Transfer

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Christopher Lockman

Preparing for “Untoward Practical Results”—Implications and Action Items for ERISA Attorneys Following Cunningham v. Cornell University

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision Cunningham v. Cornell University, 145 S.Ct. 1020 (2025) significantly lowers the pleading standard for prohibited transaction claims under Section 406(a) of the Employee Retirement Income… more

Appellate Courts, Cunningham v Cornell University, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Employer Liability Issues, ERISA Litigation

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Thomas Mackie

EPA’s Proposed Reversal of the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding—How Politics Drives Legal Reinterpretation of the Clean Air Act

On August 20, 2025, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, among several other state attorneys general, testified in opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reverse its 2009 finding that… more

Chevron Deference, Clean Air Act, Constitutional Challenges, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Kaitlyn Malkin

The Interaction between State Paid Family Medical Leave and Employer Short-Term Disability Programs

We often are asked how an employer’s existing short-term disability (“STD”) policy will interact with new state medical leave programs. While we advise clients on the interaction with programs in many states, this post will… more

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Connecticut, Employee Benefits, Employer Responsibilities, Employment Policies

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Ruth Mattson

2023 Massachusetts Tax Update

Massachusetts Estate Tax: For decedents dying on or after January 1, 2023, there is no Massachusetts estate tax for an estate under $2,000,000. The law does not adjust the filing threshold so state tax returns may still be… more

Business Taxes, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Estate-Tax Exemption, Income Taxes

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Suzanne Meeker

DOL Updates Model Annual Funding Notices for SECURE 2.0

On April 3, 2025, the Department of Labor issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-02 (the FAB), providing initial guidance and updated models for defined benefit plan Annual Funding Notices that comply with the notice… more

Beneficiaries, Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits, Filing Deadlines, New Guidance

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Anna Mikhaylina

Orabona v. Santander: The Importance of ERISA Status for Severance Plans

Severance plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) must satisfy certain compliance requirements, but federal law affords employers significant advantages in the event a… more

Discrimination, Employee Benefits, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Employer Liability Issues, Employment Litigation

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Marie Mueller

What You Need to Know Before Opening Your Outdoor Tasting Room

As part of Maine’s phased reopening of its economy, breweries, distilleries, and wineries without restaurant licenses were deemed bars. As a result, in guidance issued by Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery… more

Breweries, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Distilleries, Governor Mills, Re-Opening Guidelines

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Robin Murphy

Massachusetts Legislation, Regulations, and Programs Regarding COVID-19 Emergency

On March 24th, the Governor filed legislation to make temporary changes to Massachusetts’ laws and regulations covering a wide range of public and private enterprises to remain in effect during the Covid-19 emergency including… more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Emergency Orders, Governor Baker, Relief Measures, State and Local Government

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Elizabeth Murdock Myers

New Massachusetts Noncompetition Act: What Employers Need To Know

Massachusetts recently enacted a new statute that significantly changes the treatment of noncompetition agreements under Massachusetts law. The Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (the “Act”) is effective October 1, 2018… more

Breach of Contract, Compensation, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Contract, Enforcement

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Adam Nyhan

Maine’s Privacy Law: Intrusion upon Seclusion—Key Elements and Recent Developments

Maine, like most states, recognizes four fundamental common-law privacy torts: intrusion, appropriation, false light, and public disclosure. This article summarizes the tort of intrusion, sometimes called intrusion upon the… more

Common Law Claims, Intrusion Upon Seclusion, Privacy Laws, State Law Tort Claims, State Privacy Laws

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Kevin O'Connell

More to Consider Concerning the FTC’s Proposed Rule Prohibiting Non-Competition Clauses

As previously reported by Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez in the firm’s “Taking Care of HR Business” blog on January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule that, as drafted by the FTC, would both prohibit… more

Acquisitions, Anti-Competitive, Competition, Corporate Counsel, Employee Benefits

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Brian O'Rourke, Jr.

Finding Teeth in Massachusetts' Prompt Payment Act

In Tocci v. IRIV Partners, LLC, Boston Harbor Industrial Development LLC and Hudson Insurance Co. (November 19, 2020, Sup. Ct. 19-405), the Massachusetts Superior Court granted summary judgment on a contractor’s breach of… more

Breach of Contract, Contract Terms, Contractors, Prompt Payment, Subcontractors

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Erik Peters

Time to Update Your Handbooks

Employers – a recent decision by an administrative agency you have likely never heard of will likely require you to revise your employment policies and handbooks. Some background: the National Labor Relations Act is a federal… more

Employee Handbooks, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Policies, Human Resources Professionals, NLRA

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Christopher Petronio

2023 Estate Planning Update

This alert from Verrill’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group highlights the latest changes to the income tax and transfer tax landscape. The alert addresses the SECURE ACT 2.0, federal and state transfer tax updates for… more

Charitable Donations, Employee Benefits, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Taxes

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Abby Plummer

Filing a BOI Report Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the process of filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports can be challenging. That's why we've created a comprehensive guide to help you through the technical steps of completing your online BOI report,… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Counsel, Corporate Transparency Act, Filing Deadlines

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Jack Quinn

EPA’s Proposed Reversal of the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding—How Politics Drives Legal Reinterpretation of the Clean Air Act

On August 20, 2025, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, among several other state attorneys general, testified in opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reverse its 2009 finding that… more

Chevron Deference, Clean Air Act, Constitutional Challenges, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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James Roosevelt Jr.

Massachusetts Final Budget: MassHealth Gains Greater Authority to Negotiate Supplemental Rebates with Pharmaceutical Companies

On July 31, 2019, Governor Charlie Baker signed a $43.3 billion fiscal year 2020 budget (“General Appropriations Act”). Originating from the Conference Committee’s budget, the General Appropriations Act accounts for any vetoes… more

Budget Cuts, General Appropriation Funds, Governor Baker, Legislative Agendas, Pharmaceutical Industry

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Gary Rosenberg

Massachusetts Attorney General Artificial Intelligence Guidance: What Healthcare Providers and Health IT Developers Need to Know

With the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use and application, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s recent release of AI guidelines should serve as a reminder to healthcare providers and health IT developers of the… more

Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Protection Laws, Data Privacy, Health Care Providers, Health Information Technologies

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A. Robert Ruesch

New Rules for Apprentices on Energy Projects Come with Uncertainty for Contractors and Developers

On January 1, 2021, a new law went into effect setting benchmarks for use of apprentices on energy generation facility construction projects. Enacted in 2019, the law was part of “An Act to Establish a Green New Deal for Maine”… more

Apprenticeships, Construction Project, Contractors, Energy Projects, Energy Sector

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Hannah Saturley

Massachusetts’ Salary Range Transparency Law: Key Requirements for Employers

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency (Chapter 141 of the Acts of 2024) on July 31, 2024. This law increases wage transparency requirements for employers with 25 or more… more

Anti-Retaliation Provisions, Disclosure Requirements, Employer Liability Issues, Enforcement Actions, Filing Requirements

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Michael Saxl

Role of In-House Counsel in Managing a Crisis or Internal Investigation, Pandemic or Employment Claim (Presentation)

[co-author: Clara McConnell, Maine Street Solutions] - On April 29, 2020, Verrill's Doug Currier, Mike Saxl, Calvin Woo, and Clara McConnell presented a webinar, "Role of In-House Counsel in Managing a Crisis or Internal… more

Confidentiality Policies, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Crisis Management, Workplace Communication, Workplace Investigations

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Stephen Segal

Disgorgement Upon Insolvency: Continuing Uncertainty

Litigation and Trial attorneys Nate Hull and Stephen Segal authored an article entitled "Disgorgement Upon Insolvency: Continuing Uncertainty." Nate and Stephen discuss the various approaches taken by bankruptcy courts when… more

Chapter 11, Chapter 7, Commercial Bankruptcy, Disgorgement, Distribution Rules

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Paul Shaw

Due to COVID-19, Federal Agencies Relax Requirements Regarding the Provision of Telehealth Services

In the past few days, in an effort to help keep Medicare beneficiaries healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, key federal agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the U.S. Department of… more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, DEA, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Medicare

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John Shea

Water Management Act Regulations

On January 20, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”) promulgated final revisions to the Water Management Act (“WMA”) regulations at 310 CMR 36.00… more

Groundwater Management Plan, Water Conservation, Water Management, Water Quality, Water Supplies

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Frank Silvestri Jr.

Connecticut Supreme Court Rejects Tough Delaware Standard in Allowing Member Inspections of Manager-Managed LLC Books and Records – Or Does It?

Before allowing the inspection of corporate books and records, Delaware courts require a shareholder seeking information about possible mismanagement to come forward with evidence demonstrating a reasonable basis to suspect… more

Business Litigation, Corporate Records, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Operating Agreements, Shareholders

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Christopher Smith

Filing a BOI Report Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the process of filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports can be challenging. That's why we've created a comprehensive guide to help you through the technical steps of completing your online BOI report,… more

Beneficial Owner, Business Entities, Corporate Counsel, Corporate Transparency Act, Filing Deadlines

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Elizabeth Connellan Smith

2021 Employment Law Update: Part 12 – Tips and Trends for 2021 and 2022

Join Verrill attorneys Elizabeth Connellan Smith, Douglas P. Currier, Emily Coombs Waddell, Richard G. Moon, and Robert C. Brooks as they sum up the year's trends in labor & employment and suggest tips for how to be prepared… more

Class Action, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Discrimination, Employment Litigation, Hiring & Firing

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Gordon Smith

Intertidal Court Victory for Property Rights, Marine Conservation, and Public Participation

The Maine Superior Court has dismissed all claims against five intertidal landowners represented by Verrill in Masucci v. Judy’s Moody, LLC. The landowners had been sued because they contacted Maine Marine Patrol to report the… more

Endangered Species, Environmental Litigation, Inland Waterways, Marine Life Protections, MI Supreme Court

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Alexandra Stanley

Permanent Exemptions and New Deductions: What the 2025 Tax Law Means for Estate and Tax Planning

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the 2025 Budget Reconciliation bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“Act”). This legislation extends several provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”)… more

Charitable Donations, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Federal Budget, Generation-Skipping Transfer

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William Stiles

Hospitals Win 340B Medicare Rate Cut Suit, But When, How, and How Much They Will Recoup Remains Unclear

In a recent unanimous decision, the Supreme Court found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), part of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), erred when it significantly reduced 2018… more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Drug Pricing, Health Care Providers, Hospitals

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Mathew Todaro

EPA Issues Final National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On April 10, 2024, after receiving nearly 122,000 comments on the proposed rule, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced its final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (“NPDWR”) for six… more

CERCLA, Contamination, Drinking Water, Environmental Policies, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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Peter Vetere

Understanding 91’s Amnesty Program

Chapter 91 of the Massachusetts General Laws, otherwise known as the Public Waterfront Act, is the primary law protecting the public’s rights to use and access the coastal tidelands of the Commonwealth. First adopted in 1866,… more

Beach Access, Beachfront Properties, Coastal Real Estate, Public Use, Right of Access

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Emily Coombs Waddell

National Labor Relations Board Bans Captive Audience Meetings

On November 13, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a landmark decision in the case of Amazon Services LLC, banning so-called “captive audience meetings,” a tool regularly used by employers in response to… more

Amazon, Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Litigation, Labor Regulations

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Andrew Walsh

Fair Use and AI: What Buyers and Investors Need to Know

Buy-side investors typically require the target company to represent that it has not infringed on the copyrights or other intellectual property of any third party. Typical language might read: “The operation of the Company as… more

Acquisitions, Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, Copyright Infringement, Corporate Counsel

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Calvin Woo

Role of In-House Counsel in Managing a Crisis or Internal Investigation, Pandemic or Employment Claim (Presentation)

[co-author: Clara McConnell, Maine Street Solutions] - On April 29, 2020, Verrill's Doug Currier, Mike Saxl, Calvin Woo, and Clara McConnell presented a webinar, "Role of In-House Counsel in Managing a Crisis or Internal… more

Confidentiality Policies, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Crisis Management, Workplace Communication, Workplace Investigations

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Hannah Zukoff

Massachusetts Legislation, Regulations, and Programs Regarding COVID-19 Emergency

On March 24th, the Governor filed legislation to make temporary changes to Massachusetts’ laws and regulations covering a wide range of public and private enterprises to remain in effect during the Covid-19 emergency including… more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Emergency Orders, Governor Baker, Relief Measures, State and Local Government

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