Federal judge rules military can’t deny survivor benefits to veteran’s same-sex spouse

The U.S. military can’t deny spousal benefits for individuals in same-sex marriages, a Los Angeles federal judge ruled Thursday, because doing so serves no purpose. The case was filed by Tracey and Maggie Cooper-Harris, Reuters and CNN report. The couple married in 2008. Tracey Cooper-Harris, a U.S. Army veteran, served…

Aug 30, 2013 5:35 PM CDT

Cozen partner’s surviving same-sex spouse gets her law firm profit-sharing fund, federal judge rules

The surviving same-sex spouse of a deceased Cozen O’Connor partner is entitled to receive the attorney’s $49,000 law firm profit-sharing balance, a federal judge has ruled. Last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking the federal Defense of Marriage Act paved the way for Monday’s decision in favor of Jennifer Tobits,…

Jul 30, 2013 4:45 PM CDT

Law prof plans to release survey of 401(k) fees via Twitter

A Yale law professor has written to about 6,000 employers warning them that he is studying corporate 401(k) plans and is planning to release the results via Twitter. The study focuses on the financial impact of investment and administrative fees in investment plans, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), Forbes…

Jul 29, 2013 10:45 AM CDT

Detroit bankruptcy unconstitutional, judge rules in pension case

Detroit’s bankruptcy filing this week violates the Michigan constitution and must be withdrawn, said a state court judge Friday, in response to emergency petitions from lawyers representing pensioners and two city pension funds. The attorneys got an emergency hearing with Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina Thursday, the Detroit Free…

Jul 19, 2013 10:59 PM CDT

Drug testing as a condition for unemployment benefits supported by some lawmakers

Should unemployment benefits be contingent on consenting to a drug test? Yes, in certain circumstances, say Texas lawmakers. The state house passed Bill 21 Wednesday, Reuters reports. The bill had already passed in the Texas senate. If it becomes law, it will apply to unemployed Texans who worked in designated…

May 23, 2013 5:00 PM CDT

Law firm resolves ERISA case, must repay $1M in worker retirement assets

A federal judge in Georgia has ordered a Savannah-based law firm to repay all of the $1 million in assets improperly transferred from worker retirement and pension plans. A ruling last week also held that the Eichholz Law Firm and its former managing partner, Benjamin Eichholz, breached their fiduciary responsibilities…

Jan 23, 2013 6:40 PM CST

Work on Your Retirement Plans: Choices Depend on Firm Size and Income

Jan 1, 2013 7:40 AM CST

Chief Justice Criticizes ‘Disingenuous’ Characterization of Administration Flip-Flops

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. made it clear during oral arguments on Tuesday that he wasn’t happy with footnote 9 in a brief by the Solicitor General’s office. Roberts “publicly dressed down an Obama administration lawyer” for disguising policy changes made under new presidents, Reuters reports. Though it wasn’t…

Nov 29, 2012 11:30 AM CST

Unit of Bank of New York Mellon to Pay $210M Settlement for Madoff Investor Advice

A Bank of New York Mellon subsidiary that advised clients who invested with Bernard Madoff has agreed to pay $210 million to settle suits by the U.S. Department of Labor, the New York Attorney General’s office and private investors. Ivy Asset Management is paying the money to resolve allegations that…

Nov 13, 2012 3:41 PM CST

What Do DOMA Decisions Mean for Employment Law?

As courts strike down laws that ban same-sex marriage, lawyers wonder if employers will change benefits to be more inclusive for lesbian and gay employees, reports Corporate Counsel. The article cites the recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit opinion (PDF) that nixed the Defense of Marriage Act.…

Oct 23, 2012 3:06 PM CDT

The Next Chapter: Municipalities Are Using Chapter 9 to Fend Off Creditors

Nov 1, 2011 10:00 AM CDT

Retired BigLaw Attorneys Embrace New Clients in People-Oriented Public Service Jobs

When he left Dickstein Shapiro in 2004, James Springer was a top antitrust lawyer. Now, working part-time for the D.C. Legal Aid Society, the 77-year-old attorney handles benefits claims. Working on Social Security claims is every bit as complex as his former practice area, he tells the National Law Journal.…

Oct 24, 2011 8:00 PM CDT

Insult to Injury: Texas Workers’ Comp System Denies, Delays Medical Help

Oct 1, 2011 10:10 AM CDT

Complex Labyrinth of Rules Can Wreak Havoc on a Seemingly Clear-Cut Plan for Retirement Assets

Think you know who will get your retirement-account assets after your death? Think again. Even those who seemingly have named beneficiaries on the right form might be surprised if they could see who actually gets the money, according to the Wall Street Journal. Federal law, for example, trumps beneficiary designations…

Sep 7, 2011 8:49 PM CDT

8th Circuit OKs Denial of Social Security Benefits to Daughter Born 2 Years After Dad’s Death

A federal appeals court has reversed a trial court ruling that a girl born, with the help of in vitro fertilization, two years after her dad’s death is entitled to social security benefits. Upholding an Iowa law, since amended, that was enacted before assisted reproductive techniques made such births possible,…

Aug 30, 2011 7:49 PM CDT