During the last few months of 2012, one could not avoid the drama unfolding in Congress concerning the “fiscal cliff.” Just when falling off the fiscal cliff appeared to be a certainty, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act (the “Act”) of 2012 on January 1, 2013. Set forth below is a summary of some of the important changes made by the Act.

Prior to joining Golan & Christie LLP last September, I spent the past three years working for a well-known workers’ compensation defense firm. I am excited to share my knowledge relating to workers’ compensation with Golan & Christie’s clients.

In its recent opinion for Lawlor v. North American Corp. of Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court sent a warning message to employers who try to dig up evidence about former employees – you may be liable for punitive damages for invading the employee’s privacy.

Those who examine employment laws throughout the various states often remark that California is in a class by itself as a state with some of the most employee-centric rules in the country. Adding to that reputation are a couple of new laws that just went into effect in 2013. An employer need not have physical operations in California in order to be subject to its employment laws – any individual who is working for you in California, even if that is out of his home, can seek the protections of California laws.

In a twelve-month span, Golan & Christie’s Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice Group obtained confirmation of nine (9) separate chapter 11 cases, from manufacturing companies to real estate developers to retail operations to individuals.

• The Impact of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 On Individuals
• Two Things You May Not Know About the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act
• Employment Law Alerts

Is it better to give than to receive? Purely from a tax perspective, the answer is generally no, since the person giving the gift may be subject to a federal gift tax, while the recipient generally is not.

When starting a new business, owners, rightfully so, are focused on getting operations up and running and making the business profitable. If there is more than one owner, everyone is usually in a “honeymoon” period where everyone is getting along and everyone believes that the business will last forever.

Illinois has a new law which goes into effect on January 1, 2013, that makes it illegal for employers to ask job applicants or employees for passwords to their Facebook accounts or other online profiles.

In a recent opinion from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin federal courts, a $3.5 million jury award was affirmed for an employee who alleged his employer did not do enough to stop anonymous harassment and threats he received at work.

For the second year in a row, Peter M. Katsaros will be teaching at the upcoming Pincus Professional Education workshop:

On September 5, 2012, Barbara L. Yong was honored by the League of Women Voters of the LaGrange Area with the 2012 Person of Impact Award. According to the League, “The award was created to honor individuals, non-profit organizations or government entities that are considered ‘change-makers’ and have made significant contributions in encouraging citizens to engage in the democratic process.” Golan & Christie congratulates Ms. Yong on her achievement.

• Gift Tax Update - Is It Better To Give Than To Receive?
• Business Owners - Do You Have Your Buy-Sell Agreement In Place?
• Employment Law Alerts

Chicago Daily law Bulletin

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “ObamaCare,” remains intact even after the Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of some of its key provisions.

The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), which goes into effect on September 16, 2012, changes many of the ways in which an inventor can obtain a patent in the United States. The best way to learn about the impact of the AIA is to compare key provisions of patent law before and after the AIA.

With summer temperatures upon us, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has a public awareness campaign to prevent workplace injuries related to heat. OSHA does not have a specific standard for working in heat, but, under federal law, employers have a duty to protect workers from serious hazards in the workplace, including heat-related hazards.

There may be a new trend in lawsuits being brought by employees who worked as unpaid interns.

• What are An Employer’s Obligations Under “ObamaCare”?
• The America Invents Act - Big Changes for Inventors
• Employment Law Alerts

Turnaround Management Association's March 2012 issue of "Journal of Corporate Renewal"

Bankruptcy comes in several flavors, and a Chapter 11 is the flavor that allows a business to reorganize and continue to operate. Can small businesses benefit from filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy? YES! And here’s why:

Over 50% of the population does not have any estate plan. Not a will. Not a trust. Nothing. Further, of those people that have done some planning, what they have is in many cases out of date or has not been fully implemented.