Much Shelist, P.C.

A number of important changes to employment laws will take effect January 1, 2025. Among the key updates are expanded protections under the Illinois Human Rights Act, new pay transparency obligations, updates to personnel record and pay stub access requirements, and limitations on restrictive covenants in the mental health industry. In their latest article, #MuchAttorneys Matt Feery and Sheryl Jaffee Halpern provide an overview of these changes. Key topics include extended timelines for filing discrimination claims, new pay scale transparency rules, and expanded personnel record access for employees: https://bit.ly/3ZD1qEE

A Texas federal district court has blocked the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule to increase salary thresholds for certain exempt employees. The rule’s January 2025 increase will not take effect, and the July 2024 increase has been undone. This ruling provides relief to employers navigating numerous new laws in 2025 but also brings uncertainty for those who already made changes based on the initial thresholds. #MuchAttorneys Matt Feery and Charlotte Franklin break down what the court’s decision means for employers in their latest article: https://bit.ly/4gD2kYn

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires entities to report beneficial ownership information to #FinCEN. While the injunction is in place, no penalties will be assessed for non-filing, though voluntary submissions are still encouraged. Learn more about the implications of this decision in the latest article from #MuchAttorneys Gregg Simon and Priya Thennarasu: https://bit.ly/3VDdp3D

In 2024, litigation trends reflected the challenges businesses face in an evolving legal and economic landscape. From the continued rise of class actions and ESG-related claims to the increasing complexity of trade secret disputes, companies are navigating uncharted territory shaped by technological advances and rising e-discovery costs. #MuchLitigator Steven Blonder analyzes the impact of these trends on the rise of litigation in the United States in the 2025 Chambers Litigation guide: https://bit.ly/3OSNv8m #ChambersUSA #litigation #tradesecrets #classactions

Much is thrilled to welcome Andrew Hutchinson to the firm’s Corporate & Finance group. Andy is a finance attorney whose 20 years of experience representing direct lenders, banks, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers in acquisition finance and corporate finance transactions will make him immensely valuable to our clients: https://bit.ly/4gu1sFC

The federal transfer tax exemption will increase to $13.99 million per person in 2025 before being reduced in 2026 under current law. In their latest article, #MuchAttorneys Gregg Simon and Priya Thennarasu outline strategies to make the most of the current exemption and offer new planning considerations. Read more: https://bit.ly/4fWqhu1

Congratulations to Steven Blonder, The Ark’s Board Chair, for being recognized in Crain's Chicago Business as a Notable Nonprofit Board Leader. Steven’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing our mission, from providing strategic guidance to driving a successful capital campaign that expanded our Chicago facility’s service capacity by 60%. True to his dedication, Steven brought three shopping carts full of donations to The Ark’s food pantries with his family last week—another way he continually goes above and beyond for our community. #PoweredbyCommunity

In recent years, the federal government has implemented major tax incentives tied to construction, development, and design projects as well as various green initiatives. Many of these programs have significantly expanded and now include public and nonprofit projects. There is potential for significant tax benefits that many in the development, design, and construction industries are overlooking. On Tuesday, December 10 at 12 p.m. CT, #MuchConstruction attorney Dan Rosenberg will partner with Todd French and William Harbeson of Capstan Tax Strategies to host a webinar on maximizing these tax incentives. Register: https://bit.ly/49hbYh3

Much is thrilled to congratulate Management Committee member Steven Blonder on being named among the 2024 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders by Crain's Chicago Business. Steve was recognized for his work with The Ark, an organization that provides Chicagoland Jews with free, life-changing human services. Thank you, Steve, for representing our #MuchCommunity values: https://bit.ly/49jzFFn

Much was proud to sponsor Constructors Connect hosted by Chicagoland AGC this week. Our #MuchConstruction team enjoyed spending time with friends and clients in the industry and celebrating the outstanding projects that were built this year. Thanks to Josh Leavitt, Scott Fradin, Dan Rosenberg, and David Nightingale for representing the firm.