Woods | Aitken

Congratulations to our 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Rising Stars! Super Lawyers list: Pamela Bourne, Michael Matejka, Craig Dirrim, Erin Ebeler, Jerry Pigsley, and Paul Schudel. Rising Stars list: Ashley Connell, Kaylen Akert, and Audrey Svane. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gqEkj7ra

Join us for our next webinar in the series! Audrey Svane, a partner in the firm’s construction law practice group, will present “Changing (or Avoiding) the Battlefield: Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques in Construction” on June 11th. Membership in Associated General Contractors - Nebraska Building Chapter is not required. For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3PkfONB

Congratulations to the finalists for Lincoln’s 2024 Best Places to Work competition! Final rankings will be announced at an awards celebration on June 6 at Haymarket Park. Lincoln's 2024 Best Places to Work in alphabetical order are: Small: Custom Blinds & Design, DataVizion, Ellerbrock-Norris Medium: BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, Don't Panic Labs, HoriSun Hospice Large: Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties, Region V Systems, UNICO Group Extra-Large: Ameritas, Assurity, Olsson Thanks to all of the companies who participated and to our great co-sponsors, LincolnHR and the Lincoln Journal Star. Thanks also to our research partner, Quantum Workplace. #LNKBPTW

Last week, Woods Aitken attorney Joel Heusinger partnered with individuals from Gene Lilly Surety Bonds and Travelers for a panel discussion focused on developing risk trends in the construction industry, including conversation on issues we are seeing that are affecting construction projects nationally, regionally, and locally. Thanks to Gene Lilly Surety Bonds for the invitation and organizing a great program, and to all of the attendees who joined us!

What a SURPRISE! At SurePoint’s 2024 IGNITE conference in Austin, Texas, Woods Aitken was recognized with a SurePoint Community Award! This award represents one of SurePoint’s core values, Commitment to Community. We are honored to have received this national recognition and we extend an incredible THANK YOU to SurePoint Technologies! Pictured accepting the award is Vickie Starr, Assistant Administrator. Award description for SurePoint’s Commitment to Community: Our community guides everything we do. We work to make each client’s life easier, help transform the legal industry, and make a positive impact in our communities.

Join us on May 15! On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule to increase the salary thresholds for “white-collar” exemptions (e.g., executive, administrative, professional) and highly compensated employees. For our Wednesdays with Woods Aitken discussion on May 15, we will address the new rule and proactive steps employers can take to prepare and manage this change effectively. There is no cost to attend. To learn more and register, visit: https://bit.ly/49jo6go About: Woods Aitken’s Labor & Employment attorneys host a highly engaging and practical interactive discussion about common workplace issues, developments in labor and employment laws, and human resource management topics. Participants are asked to collaborate and explore practical approaches to addressing complicated legal challenges. These monthly informal discussions will take place as a Zoom virtual meeting and participation is highly encouraged.

On April 23, the U.S. Department of Labor published its long-awaited final rule (“Final Rule”) that will update the salary thresholds for “white-collar” exemptions (e.g., executive, administrative, professional, outside sale, and computer employees) and highly compensated employees. In short, the Final Rule increases the base salary level required to qualify for the payment of an exempt salary by more than 20 percent, with that amount to increase further by January 2025 and thereafter. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/djzxBgNE

Congratulations to Murphy Cavanaugh (pictured front row, second from right) – winner of the Woods Aitken Outstanding Student Award at the University of Nebraska College of Law Dean's Advisory Board Luncheon last week! In addition, congratulations to William C. “Bill” Schwartzkopf (second photo, pictured back row, center) for receiving an Outstanding Service Award! Joel Heusinger, partner at Woods Aitken, introduced William Schwartzkopf, highlighting Bill’s achievements and service to the construction industry. In his speech, Bill gave a lot of credit to his mentor, longtime Woods Aitken attorney Allen L. Overcash (third photo), for encouraging him to consider a career in the construction industry. Bill acknowledged Allen’s mentorship, humor, time, helping him learn to think like a lawyer, and involvement with the Construction Law program at the Nebraska College of Law. Allen practiced construction law at Woods Aitken from 1959 to 2021, a total of 62 years. 📷 (Event photos, credit to Nebraska Law) 📷 (Photo of Allen L. Overcash, credit to Bob Ebbeka)

Registration is open for the “OSHA Update” webinar on May 14, featuring Dan Dwyer from the Omaha OSHA Office, and Erin Ebeler, partner in the firm’s labor and employment practice group. Have questions about OSHA? This is your chance to listen to Dan Dwyer from the Omaha OSHA Office who will answer common questions and provide updates on OSHA’s enforcement efforts throughout the country and in Nebraska. Membership in Associated General Contractors - Nebraska Building Chapter is not required. For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3PkfONB

Introduced to the Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor on January 10, 2024, House Bill 24-1008 proposes several significant additions to the Colorado Wage Claim Act, C.R.S. §§ 8-4-101 et. seq., targeted directly at the construction industry. If passed, the new law could significantly impact those involved in the industry, particularly subcontractors. On February 8, 2024, an amended version of HB 24-1008 was referred to the House Committee on Appropriations, which is scheduled to meet on April 17, 2024. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gV7pZ9pZ