By: Kristen Finlon According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the United States officially surpassed one million reported COVID-19 deaths this week. At the same time, employers across the country continue to press forward with returning to operations that are as close as possible …
The Case for Block Billing
By: Norris A. Adams, II After almost 17 years litigating ERISA cases, I say with some level of credibility – at least I hope — that there are many extraordinary and difficult aspects that employees/participants/claimants/plaintiffs face with ERISA.1 There is the absence of meaningful cross-examination, …
How Much Debt Do You Have To Be In To File Chapter 7?
By: Heather Culp The short answer is, there is no specific dollar amount of debt required to file Chapter 7. The longer answer follows. The best way to figure out whether you are a good candidate for bankruptcy – including Chapter 7, which is just …
Essex Richards ERISA Litigation Team Earns National Recognition
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have named Essex Richards to their 2022 list of “Best Law Firms” in America. The firm received a national ranking and metropolitan rankings in several practice areas. For the sixth year in a row, Essex Richards earned a national ranking …
Podcast: Pandemic Economics: How To Manage Your Debt and Spending
Americans are returning to normal spending habits for the first time since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but are they paying off debt as fast as they’re accumulating it? Consumer debt has risen to $14.6 trillion in the first three months of 2021 — …
Essex Richards Welcomes Family Law Attorney L. Bree Laughrun
Essex Richards is pleased to announce that Bree Laughrun has joined Essex Richards P.A. as a partner in our family law group. With more than ten years of experience, Bree dedicates her practice to family law and divorce proceedings, including alimony, appeals, child custody, child …
Heather Culp Quoted by WSOC-TV Regarding Likely Epicentre Foreclosure
Bankruptcy partner Heather Culp was recently interviewed for a WSOC-TV article covering the foreclosure proceedings of Charlotte’s Epicentre. In the interview, Heather described the process of the court putting the Epicentre up for auction and using a receiver to collect rent from tenants. She commented, …
Can You Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy?
Last month, partner Heather Culp was interviewed via Zoom by fellow bankruptcy attorney Sam Turco on the subject of discharging student loans in bankruptcy. Sam’s central question for Heather was “can student loans be wiped out in bankruptcy?” Heather’s answer is generally “no,” at least …
Heather Culp Awarded Outstanding Pro Bono Achievement by NC Bar
On May 12 Essex Richards partner Heather Culp received the Outstanding Pro Bono Achievement award by the North Carolina Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section. Heather regularly volunteers with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (formerly Legal Services of Southern Piedmont) and with Legal Aid of North …
Lauren Lewis Featured On WBTV’s QC Morning
Family law partner Lauren Lewis was interviewed on WBTV’s QC Morning by host Mary King on May 18. Lauren was asked to explain what a prenuptial agreement is and what to consider with such an agreement. Lauren explained that prenuptial agreements are not just for …
Heather Culp and Lauren Lewis to Speak at Bankruptcy Seminar
Essex Richards partners Heather Culp and Lauren Lewis will speak at the Mecklenburg County Bar’s Western North Carolina Bankruptcy Seminar on May 21. Heather and Lauren will lead the session, Case Studies and Updates: Bankruptcy and Family Law. To learn more or register for the …
COVID-19: Can Businesses Prohibit Employees From Getting Vaccinated?
by: Kris Finlon I’ve previously written on the question of whether employers can legally require employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination. However, recent stories in the news have presented a different question: can employers legally prohibit employees from getting vaccinated? Or, for that matter, from …