Thought Leadership

Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law went into effect on January 1, 2024. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry recently proposed new rules regarding ESST that are intended to provide additional guidance to both employers and employees regarding the application of the ESST law.

With 2025 underway, several key tax updates may impact estate and gift planning. The federal estate and gift tax exemption remains at a historic high but is set to decrease after December 31, 2025, making this a critical year for planning. Below are some important changes to keep in mind.

On December 26, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the stay of the preliminary injunction and once again enjoined enforcement of the reporting rule and the CTA “in order to preserve the constitutional status quo while the merits panel considers the parties’ weighty substantive arguments.”

On January 1, 2025, a significant shift in Minnesota’s employment landscape will take place with the implementation of a new pay transparency law. Under this statute, employers will be required to disclose salary ranges or fixed pay rates in all job postings. This new mandate, part of the broader Omnibus Labor and Industry Policy Bill signed into law in May 2024 by Governor Walz, will be codified at Minn. Stat. § 181.173.

How real estate is titled is sometimes overlooked when an individual completes their estate plan. If a Transfer on Death Deed (“TODD”) is a part of your estate plan, we strongly recommend confirming that your property casualty insurance provider is aware of the TODD and has agreed (in writing) to provide coverage upon your death.

The FTC final rule banning most employee noncompete agreements and requiring employers to notify certain workers that these agreements will no longer be enforced has been overturned.