A Deadly Combination: Millions of Dollars, Sports, Family, and Unread Contracts
Mixing business affairs and family often has dire consequences. This is evidenced by a recent case involving a professional athlete and his family. Ryan Howard is the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman. Early in his career he was an all star slugger, part of a World Series winning team in 2008.…
How a Government Agency Can Take Your Property: Eminent Domain
Government bodies have long had the ability to take private property (with fair compensation) for a public purpose. Traditionally that might have meant for roads or schools, but government is increasingly getting into the real estate development business using their eminent domain powers. They team up with private companies and…
It’s That Time of Year Again – Update Your Estate and Tax Planning
The end of the year approaches. Extended school vacations are just around the corner and department store parking lots will soon be full. As part of your personal, financial life, you should also consider some year-end work as well. Here are some suggestions on what to think about as January…
IRS Seizes Assets of Citizens Who Have Done Nothing Wrong
Under a law designed to catch drug lords, organized crime bosses, and terrorists, the IRS has been seizing funds of ordinary citizens without even alleging that they committed a crime. Their offense has been to make bank deposits of cash under $10,000. Making such deposits to evade reporting requirements is…
Longman & Van Grack Welcomes Theodore Kiviat as Of Counsel
The Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland law firm of Longman & Van Grack, LLC is happy to announce a new addition to its commercial litigation practice. Seasoned litigator, Attorney Theodore (Ted) Kiviat, has joined the firm as an Of Counsel. Attorney Ted Kiviat is an experienced civil litigator. Attorney Kiviat began…
7-Eleven Sues Baltimore Business Named 7-Even
A Baltimore, Maryland convenience store is now facing the inconvenience of a multi-million dollar lawsuit. The owner of the nationwide chain of 7-Eleven stores has sued a store that calls itself 7-Even for using a name and logo similar to its own, infringing on its trademark. The owner of 7-Even,…
Lawsuit Filed by Owner of Defective NVR Home Dismissed Because of Warranty Deadline
Lawsuit Filed by Owner of Defective NVR Home Dismissed Because of Warranty Deadline Home buyers sometimes discover that new construction hasn't delivered on all of its promises. As one homeowner learned, however, there may not be much time to complain. In a recent case, a homeowner's claims against her builder…
Corporate Dispute Leads to New Luxury Movie Theater Chain Opening in Bethesda
In 2005, Hamid Hashemi was a leader in themovie theater industry, known for founding a company that built a chain of imaginatively themed theaters. In Maryland, for example, his Egyptian-themed 24-screen megaplex featured a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the underworld. By 2006, he was forced out of…
IRS Assistance Upon Failing to Report Foreign Income
U.S. citizens and residents are required to report all of their worldwide income. In addition, taxpayers are required to report information regarding their foreign bank accounts and foreign owned assets. In recent years, the IRS has been enforcing these laws more aggressively. While the IRS has developed several programs to…
Bethesda, Maryland Pharma Company Settles Litigation, Reaches Agreement with Defendant
Bethesda, Maryland Pharma Company Settles Litigation, Reaches Agreement with Defendant Filing a lawsuit can lead to a trial, a verdict, and sometimes damages, with much acrimony along the way. But, not always. Bethesda, Maryland-basedSucampo Pharmaceuticals has settled its litigation against Anchen Pharmaceuticals and Par Pharmaceuticals and has entered into a…
Maryland’s Registers of Wills?What Do They Do?
In most of the United States, probate divisions of county courts handle wills and estates. In Maryland, however, many responsibilities related to the probating of estates fall to the "Register of Wills." Register of Wills is a state office, but each Maryland county has one, and county residents vote for…
Lawsuit Alleges Maryland Start-Up Misled Investors
Baltimore mobile advertising firm Millennial Media faces a class action lawsuit over whether it concealed the true condition of the company from shareholders. The Mississippi state pension system has filed suit in federal court, alleging that the Maryland-based company and its executives made "false and misleading" statements and failed to…
