M&B Shareholder Morris Lilienthal Named Alabama Super Lawyer Rising Star
Martinson & Beason, P.C. is pleased to announce Morris Lilienthal has been selected as a 2016 Alabama Super Lawyer Rising Star. The Super Lawyers rating service recognizes attorneys who have a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, with a goal to create a credible listing of outstanding attorneys that consumers can use in finding legal counsel.
Each year, the top 2.5% of Alabama attorneys under forty (or those who have practiced less than 10 years) are recognized for their high achievement in legal ability, professional standards, and peer recognition. Candidates are selected through a rigorous process that combines extensive peer review and independent research conducted by the Super Lawyers organization.
“Serving those who’ve been wrongly injured has been my life’s calling. I am honored to have received this recognition for providing outstanding services to my clients.” Lilienthal said. “We have a tremendous team of dedicated paralegals and support staff who are committed to achieving the best possible results for our clients.”
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is the federal appellate court for Alabama cases, recently ruled that a Mobile company’s ban on dreadlocks for their employees does not violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of an African American woman who wore her hair in dreadlocks. The woman’s job offer was terminated after she refused to change her hairstyle.
Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordan, who authored the unanimous opinion, acknowledged such determinations are often difficult: “We recognize that the distinction between immutable and mutable characteristics of race can sometimes be a fine (and difficult) one, but it is a line that courts have drawn.” The full opinion of the case, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Catastrophe Management Solutions, is available 
Many folks have questions about the differences between certain misdemeanors that seem to cover the same behavior: “Menacing”, “Reckless Endangerment”, “Harassment” and “Disorderly Conduct”. They all seem to protect against the same sort of intimidating and threatening behavior, so how are they different?
Recently, there have been plenty of reports of clowns scaring people all over the country. These terrifying carnival folk are carrying weapons, following and chasing people, and even trying to lure children into local wooded areas. In a strange way, these clown sightings help explain the differences in the misdemeanors I discussed above. Let’s run through some “creepy clown” hypotheticals together to give you a better understanding… and get in the Halloween spirit!
A coalition of twenty-one states and several businesses and industry groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are suing to block the new overtime-pay requirements set to take effect in December. They argue that the new policy is unconstitutional, unduly burdens the states, and violates the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers to the states. The lawsuit was filed in a Texas District Court and is available 
Last week, the Federal Reserve voted to hold key interest rate at current levels. Nevertheless, three board members voted for a rate hike, and Fed Chair Janet Yellen has 
Though it may not feel like it, we officially entered fall as of September 21st. With the changing seasons, we wanted to highlight a few ways you can become more energy efficient by adapting to the season. The cooler weather can bring many savings to your utility bill with minimal effort on your part.
Even though it’s still hot outside, now is a good time to begin preparing your house for winter. After all, who wants to winterize when it’s 10 degrees outside? As you begin to switch over to heat, make sure your attic is well insulated to minimize the amount of energy lost through the ceiling. Consider that the builder of your house likely only installed the minimum required amount of insulation. Today’s insulation standards are different than those of yesteryear, and you likely can achieve energy savings by adding more or better insulation.
Next, double check that outside air is not seeping into your house around windows or doors. Cut down on a drafty house by adding weather stripping or caulking around openings. By cutting out drafts in a house, you can achieve savings of