On September 4, 2014, U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier issued a ruling holding that BP Exploration & Production Inc. is subject to enhanced civil penalties under the Clean Water Act (CWA) because the deadly April 20, 2010 blowout, explosion, fire and massive oil spill at the Macondo well in…
Yesterday, Pillsbury attorney Ray Sweigart published his client advisory English Contract Law: Choice of Law and Forum Trumped? Beware (or at least be aware) of the Commercial Agents Regulations. The Advisory discusses the English High Court’s analysis, in Fern Computer Consultancy Ltd v Intergraph Cadworx & Analysis Solutions Inc [2014]…
New Jersey’s Appellate Division recently reversed a trial court’s dismissal of a general contractor’s claim against a performance bond, holding that the bond must cover the general contractor as the intended obligee, even though the general contractor was not expressly named in the bond. In Allied Building Products Corp. v.…
To bid for, contract for and perform work on most construction projects in California, a contractor must obtain a contractor’s license, and construction contracts and subcontracts entered into must be in the licensee’s name. When two licensees endeavor to undertake a project jointly, often they do so as what is…
UPDATE: Nevada State Contractors Board, Horizons, Nevada contractors encouraged to seek California license to help alleviate health and safety issues during state’s driest year on record (Nov. 2014); On September 15, 2014, the CSLB confirmed that it is also expediting applications for C-61/D-21 Limited Specialty Machinery and Pumps specialty contractor…
Today, Pillsbury attorneys Tom Makris, Paula Weber and Erica Turcios posted their advisory New Threat to “Bring Your Own Device” Policies: Employer Required to Reimburse Personal Cell Phone Expenses. The Advisory discusses a far-reaching decision by the California Second District Court of Appeal in Cochran v. Schwan’s Home Serv., Inc.,…
On August 26, 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decided the case of Sierra Club, et. al. v. Jewel, a case involving the National Register of Historic Places (Register), which is administered by the Department of the Interior. The Court of Appeals held, over the dissent of Senior Circuit…
On June 17, 2014, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law Senate Bill 78, a bill making changes to Ohio’s construction industry licensing law and, in particular, modifying the law regulating special construction contractors. The new law is effective September 17, 2014. Among other things, the new law amends the…
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) recently received the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies’ 2014 Innovation in Regulation Award, an award that recognizes innovation, creativity, and excellence in regulation of contracting/construction industries. NSCB was recognized for its efforts in 2012 to partner with The Home Depot and local…
On August 22, 2014, the Texas Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in the case of Houston Unlimited, Inc. Metal Processing v. Mel Acres Ranch. While reversing the appellate court that affirmed the jury verdict awarding the plaintiff almost $350,000 in lost market value based on the “stigma” clinging to…