News
IS A FOOD ALLERGY (SUCH AS GLUTEN-INTOLERANCE) A DISABILITY?
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SETTLES GLUTEN-INTOLERANT STUDENTS' CLAIMS AGAINST UNIVERSITY FOR DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), it is illegal discrimination for a place of public accommodation (including a university) to fail to make...
MUNICIPAL LAW UPDATE: TAX ACQUIRED PROPERTY
Increasing the Value of Tax-Acquired Property It is not surprising that when municipalities acquire title to real estate as a result of the expiration of a tax lien, the property is usually returned to the delinquent taxpayer by filing a tax lien discharge or...
UNENFORCEABLE ADVISORY OPINIONS BY MUNICIPAL BOARDS OF APPEAL
Are Advisory Opinions by Municipal Boards of Appeal Enforceable? In two opinions issued in 2010,[1] the Maine Supreme Court ruled that decisions of local boards of appeal in proceedings to enforce local ordinances were unenforceable because they were only "advisory...
MAINE START-UP BUSINESS: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
MAINE START-UP BUSINESS: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT The legal environment of business is complex and ever-changing. Whether your start-up business is home-based, or whether you have several business locations throughout the State, it is important to understand some of...
MAINE WEDDINGS: THE LEGAL ISSUES OF MARRIAGES
MAINE WEDDINGS: THE LEGAL ISSUES OF MARRIAGES Like everything else, Maine weddings have certain legal requirements that engaged couples should consider as part of their planning (OK, not the most exciting or fun part of the planning!). But knowing the legalities of...
DISCIPLINE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND APPLICABLE MAINE MUNICIPAL STATUTES
Discipline of Public Employees -- Applicable Laws A. State Statutes Know the applicable laws before taking certain actions to discipline public employees. Because Maine is an employment-at-will state, people sometimes forget that some protections are available for...
STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS ENTITY: KNOW THE BASIC LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Starting Your Own Business Entity: Know the Basic Legal Framework Whether to generate additional income, be one’s own boss, create flexible hours around child care, or fulfill a dream of one’s own, many folks, especially in Maine, start their own business. As they...
LANDLORD TENANT LAWS IN MAINE
The past year or so has brought a number of changes to the landlord tenant laws in Maine, including a round of amendments that became effective September 28, 2011. The notable changes affecting residential leases and rental properties are summarized below....
ETHICAL STANDARDS SHARED BY LEGAL AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
ETHICAL STANDARDS SHARED BY LEGAL AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: OVERLAPPING CODES OF ETHICS Professional Ethics is a term that is not exclusive to attorneys. Health providers, like legal service providers, are subject to codes of ethics, and are also more particularly...