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DOMA repeal may streamline practice areas 

By: Christina Pazzanese
Published: March 9, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOJ, DOMA, gay marriage, Obama, same-sex marriage

The Department of Justice’s decision to stop defending the federal Defense of Marriage Act against legal challenges could eventually transform several major practice areas in states that permit gay marriage.

Are health courts coming to a state near you? 

By: Sylvia Hsieh
Published: February 25, 2011

Tags: Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, DOJ, fair share rule, federal budget, health care reform, health courts, HHS, joint liability, medical malpractice, Obama, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, tort reform

Buried in the White House’s federal budget plan is a proposal to encourage states to reform their medical malpractice laws.

Maryland Senate adopts same-sex marriage bill 

By: Steve Lash
Published: February 25, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, gay marriage, Obama, same-sex couples, same-sex marriage

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Senate on Thursday night passed legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the state with a vote of 25 to 21.

DOJ announces it will stop defending DOMA 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: February 24, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOJ, DOMA, equal protection, Eric Holder, gay marriage, Obama, same-sex couples, same-sex marriage

At the request of President Barack Obama, the Department of Justice has announced that it will no longer defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act against legal challenges.

Federal health care mandate is constitutional 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: February 23, 2011

Tags: Commerce Clause, health care reform, health insurance, Obama, Obamacare, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

The individual mandate in the new federal health care reform law is constitutional, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled in granting a dismissal.

The federal budget: What lawyers need to know 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: February 23, 2011

Tags: Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Discrimination, DOJ, DOL, EEOC, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, FDA, federal budget, Food and Drug Administration, food safety, health care fraud, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, medical malpractice, Obama, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, tax fraud, worker misclassification

President Barack Obama released his budget requests for fiscal year 2012 on Feb. 14, seeking $3.73 trillion in total spending and claiming $1.1 trillion in spending cuts over the next ten years.

Within the 216-page document are numerous items for lawyers to keep an eye on as the budget works its way through Congress. 

Obama signs estate tax reform bill 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 3, 2011

Tags: estate planning, estate tax, estate tax exemption, Obama, trusts and estates

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has signed legislation that exempts estates smaller than $5 million ($10 million for married couples) from the federal estate tax, and creates a maximum estate tax rate of 35 percent.

Elena Kagan: Fourth woman in history to become a U.S. Supreme Court justice 

By: Tony Ogden
Published: December 28, 2010

Tags: Elena Kagan, Lawyers of the Year, Lawyers of the Year 2010, Obama, Supreme Court

After becoming the first female Dean of Harvard Law School in 2003 and the first female Solicitor General of the United States in 2009, this year Elena Kagan became only the fourth woman in history to sit as a U.S. Supreme Court justice, marking the first time three women have been on the bench at once.

Estate tax bill passes Congress 

By: Reni Gertner
Published: December 17, 2010

Tags: estate planning, estate tax, estate tax exemption, Obama, trusts and estates

A bill that exempts estates smaller than $5 million ($10 million for married couples) from the federal estate tax, and creates a maximum estate tax rate of 35 percent, has passed the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.

Should lawyers, clients convert to Roth 401(k)s? 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 14, 2010

Tags: 401(k), Obama, retirement planning, Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, Small Business Jobs Act of 2010

Lawyers and their clients have a new opportunity to convert their 401(k) plans into Roth 401(k)s, but should think twice before making the switch.