Greater Fort Myers Chamber Of Commerce: Legal News And Updates From Henderson Franklin – January 2022 Edition

Fort Myers FL

29 January, 2022

10:18 AM

Description

Press release from Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce: 2022-01-28 Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is dedicated to keep our clients and community updated on legal issues impacting their businesses and families. Below please find the blogs, articles, and firm news published in January 2022. Seminars and Events Our attorneys are honored to present seminars that address timely legal issues. If you are interested in having one of our attorneys speak for your business or professional organization, please email Gail Lamarche, Director of Marketing and Business Development, at [email protected]. Join members of Henderson Franklin's legal team on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. The firm's traditional "HR Law & Solutions" seminar will take the main stage and offer the following sessions: • Lingering effects of COVID on Florida Employers • Saving a Buck can Cost you a Million: Update on Recent Employment Cases, and Mistakes That Employers Keep Making • Workers Compensation and Employment Law Attendees also have the option of attending breakout session focusing on general corporate matters involving family businesses, real estate or land use concerns and general business contracts: • Anatomy of a Contract Dispute • What Businesses Should Know to Make Informed Real Estate Decisions? • Start-Up Bootcamp Overview • Important Issues Often Overlooked Running a Family Business The day will conclude with an inspiration message of resilience from former U.S. Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot Elizabeth McCormick, "YOU are in the Pilot's Seat: Adapt, Execute & Overcome." Continuing Education 4.0 SHRM and HRCI credits are available. Registration is open! Thank you to our sponsors: • BKS Partners, Breakfast Sponsor • Insurance Management Consultancy Group, Lunch Sponsor • Copylady, Guest Speaker Sponsor • Claims Investigation Agency, Valet Sponsor For questions or to learn of available sponsorship opportunities, please email Gail Lamarche at [email protected]. Legal Updates Florida Gulf Coast University recently released the January 2022 edition of the Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicators. The report shares economic data for the region, including an update on the real estate market status across the coastal counties of Lee, Charlotte and Collier. Overall, the report indicates that the real estate market is leveling off after fairly dramatic swings brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more from Real Estate attorney Alessandro Secino. To learn more on the state of the local real estate market, join us at Market Trends on March 16, 2022.  In response to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that stopped OSHA from enforcing its mandatory COVID vaccination Rule for large employers, OSHA announced on January 25, 2022, that it is withdrawing the Rule. OSHA introduced the Rule as an emergency temporary rule in October 2021. The Rule applied to all employers nationwide with 100 or more employees, with only extremely limited exceptions. It was set to go into effect in December 2021, but a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting OSHA from implementing the Emergency Rule. Read more from Employment Law attorney Scott Atwood. After a protracted battle in the Courts, on January 13, 2022, the U.S Supreme Court effectively ended the Biden Administration's efforts to mandate widespread COVID vaccinations for large employers. That day, the Court issued a stay of an OSHA emergency temporary regulation that required all employers nationwide that had 100 or more employees, regardless of industry, to implement a mandatory vaccination policy for their employees and verify that the employees were vaccinated. Read more from Employment Law attorney Scott Atwood. What if I were to tell you, you could be both an LLC and an S-corporation and still be considered one single business entity? Read more from Business and Tax attorney Matthew Brust. Welcome to 2022 tax season! As the vast majority of businesses, small and large, were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies received support through the Paycheck Protection Program. However, there were many question marks with the Paycheck Protection Program, such as the timing of forgiveness and if eligible expenses are deductible for federal income tax purposes. Read more from Business and Tax attorney Matthew Brust. It is not often that family law attorneys confront Second Amendment issues in their domestic relations cases. Yet in a recent decision by Florida's Second District Court of Appeal, these two very different areas of the law converged. In Dean v. Bevis, 322 So. 3d 167 (Fla. 2d DCA 2021), the Second District held that the trial judge was not authorized to prohibit an alleged stalker from possessing firearms upon issuing a temporary injunction. Read more from Divorce, Marital and Family Law attorney Iman Zekri. In the news Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer Matthew Belcastro shares: "This is a true honor. We have a very talented and diverse group of lawyers who handle just about every type of litigation case you can imagine. In my opinion, this is the best group of attorneys and support staff in Southwest Florida. I am proud to be a part of this team and very excited for the opportunity to work more closely with everyone in our department." Eric Gurgold, chair of the firm's Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Department shares: "I am incredibly proud to welcome Anthony as my law partner. He excels at the practice of law and embraces the firm's commitment and dedication to our clients and community. He has proven himself to be a trusted advisor. I look forward to all he will accomplish in his career at the firm." Guy Whitesman, former chair of Henderson Franklin's Business & Tax Department shares: "Mark has been a great addition to our Business and Tax Department. Since joining us several years ago, his expertise and client-centric focus have enabled Henderson Franklin to serve our clients well in maintaining the value of their intellectual property. We welcome Mark as a fellow stockholder and look forward to his continued leadership as chair of the firm's IP group." Divorce, Marital and Family Law attorney Christy O'Brien shares: "What led me to family law was the desire to help children, and I get to do that by helping their parents. Serving as a Guardian Ad Litem enables me to assist the Judge and get to know families and children on a level beyond what I normally get to do in daily practice. As I step into this leadership role as Henderson Franklin's Divorce, Marital and Family Law Department Chair, I look forward to offering guidance through challenging situations not only to my clients but to our associates as well." Tort & Insurance Litigation Department Chair Matthew Belcastro shares: "Jerry came to us with a good deal of litigation experience so we had high hopes for him to come in and contribute right away. Fortunately for us, Jerry has exceeded our expectations. He works hard. He has a great deal of legal knowledge. He's a great advocate for his clients, and he practices with the highest ethical standards. We are very fortunate to have him as a part of our team and I'm proud to call him my law partner." Speaking on her election, Shannon Puopolo shares: "It is an honor to serve as this year's Lee County Bar Foundation Board President. Through its volunteers, sponsors and events, the Foundation provides grants to local non-profit organizations that benefit the youth and the underprivileged population in Southwest Florida and promote legal aid to the indigent. In the recent past, these organizations have included Big Brothers/Sisters, Valerie's House, the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation, Lee County Legal Aid Society, and so many more. I look forward to serving in a leadership role alongside fellow board members to fulfill the Foundation's mission of helping our community in an impactful way." Tort and Insurance Litigation attorney Monica Schmucker was elected as a Stockholder beginning January 1, 2022. She joined the firm in March of 2020. Since then, Monica continually demonstrates the highest commitment to her clients and the community leadership positions she serves. Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. 1715 Monroe Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 www.henlaw.com   This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.