North End Business Owners Launch Lawsuit Against City of Boston Over Outdoor Dining Fees: Demand Fair Treatment and Trial by Jury

Boston, Massachusetts – A group of business owners in Boston’s historic North End are taking legal action against the city over fees for outdoor dining in the neighborhood. The lawsuit alleges that Italian restaurants in the North End have been subjected to unfair treatment by the city in its management of the outdoor dining program for 2022 and 2023. The crux of the issue lies with the fees imposed by the city. Under Mayor Michelle Wu’s policy, North End restaurants must pay a hefty $7,500 fee to participate in this year’s outdoor dining program. Additionally, … Read more

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Potential Payoff in $30 Million Lawsuit Against Truck Owner’s Insurance Company

Tampa, Florida – A recent ruling by the Florida Supreme Court has potentially increased the compensation for an accident victim involved in a traumatic collision. Randy Willoughby, the victim, initially received a $4 million bad-faith settlement from his auto insurer and later won a $30 million jury verdict against the truck co-owner responsible for the crash. Willoughby’s legal team is now seeking to collect on the judgment through a bad-faith action against the truck owner’s insurance company. The court’s ruling centered around the interpretation of Florida’s collateral source rule. This rule disallows the owners of … Read more

Mercer County Pet Owners Breathe Easy as Leash Law Decision Delayed Until March

Mercer County, West Virginia – In a recent development, the decision on implementing a proposed leash law has been tabled until March. Under this law, dogs would be required to be kept on a leash when outside of their owners’ property. The county commissioners have decided to delay the decision in order to gather more public input and thoroughly evaluate the potential impact of the law. The proposal to implement a leash law in Mercer County has sparked a heated debate among residents. Supporters argue that such a law is necessary to ensure public safety … Read more

Stay Ahead of the Game: Essential Updates on Canadian IP Law for Brand Owners in 2023

Toronto, Canada – On January 30th, 2024, Smart & Biggar’s Trademarks team will be hosting a webinar to deliver a comprehensive overview of Canadian intellectual property (IP) law from the previous year. This insightful event aims to equip brand owners with the knowledge of the latest laws, cases, and practice directions they should be aware of when conducting business in Canada. During the webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from prominent speakers in the field. Kwan T Loh, Olivier Jean-Lévesque, Nora Labbancz, and Reagan Seidler will share their expertise, providing valuable insights and … Read more