Month: December 2019
SCOTUS Opinion: Court Enforces The “American Rule” Of Costs Against The Patent And Trademark Office
The Patent Act provides that when an applicant for a patent brings suit against the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) when the Office rejects the applicant’s patent, the applicant must pay “[a]ll the expenses of the proceedings.” In Peter v. Nantkwest, Inc., a patent applicant sued the PTO under the Act when the PTO denied its application for a ... Read More
SCOTUS Opinion: Court Rejects Discovery Rule For Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Claims
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that claims be brought “within one year from the date on which the violation occurs.” In Rotkiske v. Klemm, a debt collector filed suit against Kevin Rotkiske, served him where he no longer lived, and obtained a default judgment against him in 2009. Rotkiske learned of the judgment in 2014, and sued ... Read More
Expansion of Home Purchase Assistance Program to Include Construction/Repair Money
A new bill has been introduced before the Council of the District of Columbia that would amend the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP). This program provides assistance to first time home buyers of lower and medium income households by offering interest free loans towards down payments and some assistance towards closing costs. These loans generally take the form of ... Read More
End of the Calendar Year: A Good Time to Confirm Compliance Issues for Businesses
Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other business entities are certainly aware of the need to make certain end of year decisions for income tax purposes, but it also is a good time to perform a business audit for possible state, local, and personal property tax return deadlines. It is also advisable for businesses to review other corporate compliance issues, such ... Read More
TAGGED: washington dc, maryland, nonprofits, Corporations, limited liability companies, business entities, District of Columbia, duty of loyalty, duty of care, LLC, Corporate Filing Requirements, Virginia, biennial reports, Annual Reports, property tax return (Form FP-31), l Business Tangible Personal Property Returns, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, Corporate Formalities, Boards, Meetings, Elections, and Recordkeeping, Corporate Requirements, Corporate Bylaws, Fiduciary Duties, Breaches of Fiduciary Duties, Payroll Taxes
December Real Estate Update | Rae Lee Davis v. J. Garnett Davis, Jr.
On December 5, 2019, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued an opinion invalidating three gift deeds executed and delivered in 2013. The decision is significant in that evidence outside of the recorded documents – and, presumptively, outside of the review of any title examiner – was relied upon by the Court in reaching its decision. In Rae Lee Davis v. J ... Read More