Articles and Blogs

For thousands of skilled foreign professionals, the H-1B classification provides a pathway to work in the United States. However, with a strict annual limit, or cap, of 65,000 H-1B visas—plus an additional 20,000 reserved for those with advanced U.S. degrees—the demand for H-1B status far exceeds the available supply. As a result, the U.S.... READ MORE

On March 5, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the “Sixth Circuit” or “Court”) in Bashaw v. Majestic Care of Whitehall, LLC affirmed the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio’s (the “District Court”) grant of summary judgment, finding the reasons for an employee’s termination were... READ MORE

As explained in our previous post, Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (“ESTA”) was set to take effect on February 21, 2025. However, late on February 20, 2025, the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4002 to amend the ESTA. Governor Whitmer signed the amendment into law on February 21, 2025, and it went into immediate... READ MORE

On February 26, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States (the “Supreme Court”) issued its opinion in Waetzig v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. It held that the voluntary dismissal of a federal lawsuit without prejudice, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a), qualifies as a “final judgment, order, or proceeding” under Rule 60(b),... READ MORE

On February 21, 2025, the Federal District Court for the District of Maryland (“the Court”) issued a nationwide preliminary injunction pausing three provisions contained in two of President Trump’s Executive Orders (Executive Orders 14173 and 14151). The plaintiffs challenged three specific provisions in the Executive Orders by arguing that each was likely to be... READ MORE

With the stroke of a pen, President Trump rescinded Executive Order 11246 (“EO 11246”), which has been the foundation for workforce-related affirmative action obligations for federal contractors since 1965. Effective immediately, contractors are no longer required to maintain affirmative action programs for minorities and women, though they may continue to comply with the existing... READ MORE

In the opening days of his second term, President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders covering a wide swath of public and private activity. One such executive order (the “Order”), entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” addresses diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) programs in the federal government, as well as... READ MORE

Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (“ESTA”) is set to take effect on February 21, 2025. As a result of a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court in July 2024, employers will now have to comply with the ESTA, a voter-initiated legislation from 2018. The ESTA will replace Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act. Key Provisions... READ MORE

On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Court”) vacated the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) April 2024 Final Rule (“2024 Final Rule”) that raised the minimum salary threshold for application of the executive, administrative and professional (“EAP”) exemptions from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the... READ MORE

With the use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) systems becoming more and more prevalent in workplaces across the country, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has released guidance on the development and use of AI by employers. This document, entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Worker Well-being: Principles and Best Practices for Developers and Employers,” (“Best Practices”)... READ MORE