We hope this e-mail finds you and your families healthy as we enter the Autumn season. I want to pay our respects to the family and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away on Friday, September 18, 2020 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Justice Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court (Sandra Day O’Conner was the first), serving from 1993 until her death. We trust her legacy of fairness and respect for the rule of law will endure for many generations.
Locally, the Maryland Courts are open and all cases are proceeding forward, albeit a little more slowly due to the backlog of cases. If you have any legal issues you may have put on hold for the past six months, it may be wise to re-visit them and reach out to me to discuss.
I have been working with several clients regarding their employment contracts and what rights they have if they wish to resign or have been furloughed/dismissed. Generally, most employees are classified as at-will, which means that you can quit your job at any time and an employer can discharge you at any time (cannot be for any discriminatory purposes). Many individuals also work under an employment agreement. This agreement governs the relationship between the business and the individual, regarding salary, benefits, restrictive covenants and confidentiality.
In these uncertain times, both businesses and individuals working under an employment contract must be counseled on their rights and liabilities. Whether negotiating a fair and reasonable exit strategy or enforcing contractual rights, both parties need legal clarity for a successful separation. My law office in Timonium is open for in-person consultations (and phone and Zoom) so feel free to reach out if you need our guidance.
Finally, please vote on November 3. John CM