Employer Alert: Preparing for 2025

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) generally requires employers to pay an employee overtime if the employee works more than 40 hours a week. Employees exempt from this requirement include administrative, professional, and executive employees—collectively referred to as “white collar” employees.

Update on Minnesota’s Self-Storage Act: Navigating Recent Changes and Best Practices for Facility Owners

In a previous blog, we explored the fundamental aspects of the Minnesota Liens on Personal Property in Self-Service Storage Act, Minnesota Statute Sections 514.970 to 514.979 (the “Self-Storage Act”), focusing on its powerful lien and foreclosure processes available to storage facility owners. Since the significant 2021 amendments, we have continued...

Reducing the Cost of Free Speech: Minnesota Revives a Tool for Dealing with Defamation Lawsuits

Politically active citizens and media occasionally find out the hard way that freedom to speak can be quite expensive, when they are sued for speaking out about controversial political issues. A defamation lawsuit is nothing to sneeze at, even if the speaker expects to win because they do not believe...

Navigating the Perils of Politics in the Workplace

Premium financed life insurance can be a powerful tool for high-net-worth individuals looking to secure large life insurance policies without tying up or liquidating their assets to pay premiums. At its most basic level, premium financed life insurance involves taking out a loan from a lender to cover the cost...

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Premium Financed Life Insurance

Premium financed life insurance can be a powerful tool for high-net-worth individuals looking to secure large life insurance policies without tying up or liquidating their assets to pay premiums. At its most basic level, premium financed life insurance involves taking out a loan from a lender to cover the cost...

New Independent Contractor Rules

Workers who perform services for companies are legally considered “employees” of those companies, with all the accompanying benefits and legal protections. Many companies, however, have traditionally classified their workers as “independent contractors,” and thus avoided giving those workers such benefits as retirement, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation, and even social...

New Employment Laws Effective August 1, 2024

The 2024 legislature passed a large number of laws affecting employment, some of which are becoming effective now. In particular, the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, which will not become fully effective until January 1, 2026, has been partially implemented now.

Administrative Agencies Cut Down to Size

Clients who regularly do business with administrative agencies should be aware that the regulatory landscape is changing. The Supreme Court has ruled, in two different cases, that the powers of the federal administrative agencies are more limited than had previously been assumed.

Understanding Premium Financed Life Insurance: Opportunities, Risks, and Legal Considerations

Private placement offerings represent a vital avenue for businesses in Minnesota to raise capital without the regulatory complexities of public offerings.  However, navigating the legal intricacies of these transactions is crucial to ensure compliance and avoid potential pitfalls.