Michael P. Maslanka

April 23, 2009 | Law.com

The Employee Free Choice Act, which was introduced on March 10 in the House and Senate, dramatically modifies the National Labor Relations Act on how employees select unions and how unions and employers negotiate collective bargaining agreements. Attorney Michael P. Maslanka predicts that some version of EFCA will be the law no later than next year at this time. His advice is to avoid ostrich-like attitudes of self-delusion and start planning now. He presents some discussion points for the smart executive.

By Michael P. Maslanka

5 minute read

February 10, 2005 | Law.com

For a law student, the law is all certitude and declarative sentences: One side is right; the other is wrong. Being a lawyer, though, generates ambiguities and questions: Is it possible our side did something wrong? This question leads to yet another for general counsel: If so, what is the company's response? Attorneys Michael P. Maslanka and Theresa M. Gegen provide a five-step program on how to fix things when a general counsel is looking up at the moral high ground and not down from it.

By Michael P. Maslanka and Theresa M. Gegen

9 minute read

March 09, 2005 | Corporate Counsel

What's the one thing general counsel are surrounded by but never have enough of? Time. So, briefly, here are 10 ways to inculcate a culture of better employee relations, fewer disputes and decreased corporate risk (complete with some simple math for GCs). Sure, each step takes time, but as all GCs worth their salt know, time spent wisely now is time -- and money -- saved later.

By Michael P. Maslanka

5 minute read

August 07, 2006 | Legaltech News

Hurricane Katrina razed New Orleans. And power outages black out cities across the U.S. Are firms prepared for the worst? Attorneys Michael P. Maslanka and Burton D. Brillhart deliver a care package to keep you safe and sound with your data secure.

By Michael P. Maslanka and Burton D. Brillhart

7 minute read

April 28, 2003 | Texas Lawyer

Proposed expansion of the administrative exemption will allow firms to classify a variety of functions -- from human resources to accounting functions -- as exempt. The focus will be on whether the employee performs work of substantial importance.

By Michael P. Maslanka and Candice Evalenko

8 minute read

August 19, 2004 | Corporate Counsel

The Department of Labor's new overtime regulations will kick in like a punch to the solar plexus on August 23.

By Michael P. Maslanka and Theresa M. Gegen

14 minute read

November 19, 2007 | Texas Lawyer

The Bible as literature — beliefs aside — gives lawyers what they crave: a good story with a strong establishing shot, a story arc and a resolution, says Michael Maslanka. Literature, in general, touches upon what lawyers intuitively know in their hearts to be true and teases it out to the surface.

By Michael P. Maslanka

6 minute read

November 02, 2009 | Texas Lawyer

What's the next wave of employment law that general counsel need to surf? It's reasonable accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), says Michael P. Maslanka. The act kicked in Jan. 1, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has just issued proposed regulations for it.

By Michael P. Maslanka

8 minute read

March 31, 2008 | Texas Lawyer

Arbitration: boon or bane? Are Texas companies continuing to embrace it, or will they shun it? The March 25 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Hall Street Associates, LLC v. Mattel, Inc. provides the answer, says Michael P. Maslanka of Ford & Harrison in Dallas: Fewer companies will go to arbitration, and more will shake the magic eight ball and opt for the civil justice system.

By Michael P. Maslanka

4 minute read

November 04, 2004 | Law.com

Once, the holiday season started on Christmas Eve and ended the day after New Year's. Now, it starts around Halloween and ends on Jan. 6 with Thanksgiving just a buffet in between. The bottom line: As the holiday season has lengthened, work-matter challenges for corporate counsel offices have increased. Some of the challenges include bonus and commission payments, the timing of terminations, holiday parties and religious discrimination.

By Michael P. Maslanka and Burton D. Brillhart

14 minute read