When companies set out to establish a new brand for their company, they often skip one important step: the trademark search. This may save a little money in the short-term… only to cause much larger expenses and problems in the long-term. In my previous blog post, I...
Year: 2018
Giselle Speaks: ATP University and Palm Beach State College
Giselle Carson was honored to speak at the ATP University in Miami. The ATP University provides an opportunity for ATP top world-ranked tennis players to learn about important topics facing their careers. Gisellespoke to the participants about visas and immigration....
Planning for Potential Future Diminished Capacity
Co–authored by Kristine M. Scott, Estate Planning Associate In the United States, roughly 13% of the total population (or 40 million people) are 65 or older. Of these, about 30% have some form of cognitive disability. Further, about 39% of individuals 85 years and...
Trademark Searches: A Cost Saving Measure Often Ignored – Part 1
Businesses often overlook a simple but critical step in establishing a new brand for a company, product, or service: a trademark search. The first step in a trademark strategy for the adoption and protection of a new word or design mark should be the search process....
Trade Secret Exemption from Public Records Unchanged
In an earlier post, I discussed public records legislation that would have removed the trade secrets exemption for businesses contracting with state agencies. But HB 459 died in the process during the 2018 session that ended in March, along with three other pieces of...
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for H-1B Cap Cases… Again
USCIS has announced another temporary suspension of Premium Processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those seeking an exemption for individuals with a master’s degree or higher. However, unlike last year, they will continue to accept Premium Processing for...
Florida Supreme Court Holds Chapter 558 Construction Defect Notice May Trigger Duty to Defend
Florida’s Construction Defect Statute provides an opportunity to resolve construction defect claims prior to litigation. It was instituted to streamline construction defect claims and encourage early alternative dispute resolution. Pursuant to Chapter 558, a claimant...
L-1s and TNs Border Processing – A Dramatic Change Ahead
In another effort to tighten legal immigration, CBP and USCIS announced in a conference call that they are rolling out a pilot program to eliminate “on-the-spot” L-1s and TNs NAFTA adjudications at the border. The program will first be implemented at the Blaine...