Coca-Cola, Kleenex, a ballpoint pen, a Marvin Gaye song: For consumers, they’re products to use and enjoy. For commercial enterprises, they’re intellectual capital that must be protected to ensure growth.

Host George Lepeniotis invites colleagues Dan Tychonievich and Justin Sage, members of Krieg DeVault LLP’s Intellectual Property Practice, to break down the legal implications of owning IP. Using real examples, Dan and Justin explain the nuances of trade secrets (Coca-Cola’s recipe), trademarks (Kleenex’s brand), patents (an innovation to the existing ballpoint pen), and copyright (Marvin Gaye’s song). As Dan says: “You have to become aware that somebody may be infringing, whatever that is – a copyright, trademark, or a patent.”

Tune in for their insights, and stay to the end for Dan’s joke about an “ant farm” trademark. 

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For commercial contractors with projects valued in the tens, hundreds, or millions of dollars, getting paid is where the “rubber hits the road.” A mechanic’s lien can be a vehicle for securing payment – but it doesn’t automatically turn into dollars.

In the last installment of this series on mechanic’s liens in Indiana, Blake Holler and Chris Bloomer, attorneys in Krieg DeVault’s Construction Law Practice, provide a high-level overview to guide commercial clients on what to expect on their path to payment. As they explain to host

George Lepeniotis, a mechanic’s lien is a piece of paper, a first step toward preserving the right to get paid, but not the “end all, be all.”  For contractors with state construction projects, Blake and Chris discuss the main tool available to enforce payment: the Little Miller Act. Finally, they offer tips for contractors, starting with “organization is key.” 

“You need to keep track of your invoices. When are payments due, what work was done? When did you start, when did you finish? Keeping track of all of those things is going to be the easiest way for you to not accidentally trip over yourself and lose a substantial right in the mechanic’s lien to enforce payment quickly,” Blake says.

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"“The Department of Labor estimates that the increased income thresholds for exempt status beginning on July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 and adjusting in the future will impact up to 4.3 million workers. That’s why the time is right for employers to scrutinize what this new rule means for their budgets and workforce.”," says chair of Krieg DeVault’s Labor and Employment Practice Shelley Jackson.

Shelley joins Krieg DeVault colleague and host George Lepeniotis to outline the legal risks. “If someone is improperly classified as an exempt worker under one of these standards, but does not actually qualify, it can lead to significant wages, penalties, and attorney fees,” she explains.

Shelley puts the legal landscape into perspective by describing the statutory framework that governs minimum wage and overtime and the three types of employees who are typically exempt. 

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The area of law related to employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans impacts all employers in one way or another.

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorney George Lepeniotis is joined by fellow colleague Catherine “Katy” Stowers, a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. Tune in as George and Katy discuss key legislation such as ERISA, HIPAA, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act, and recent changes to HIPAA privacy and security regulations concerning reproductive rights. This episode is a must-listen for employers, as it highlights the ever-evolving legal landscape of employee benefits.

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Non-compete agreements are common in many industries throughout the United States, but a new Federal Trade Commission rule could, with a few narrow exceptions, totally ban non-compete agreements.

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorney George Lepeniotis is joined by fellow colleagues Elizabeth Roberson and Scott Morrisson who each practice employment law. Tune in as George, Elizabeth, and Scott provide a brief overview of non-compete agreements and discuss a new FTC rule that could completely change the landscape of non-compete law in the US.

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☑️ Krieg DeVault Insights: FTC Issues Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements

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Property owners may cringe at the thought of a lien being attached to their property, but the strength of the mechanic’s lien statute is to get people–who have performed work on the property–paid.

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorney, George Lepeniotis welcomes back colleagues Blake Holler and Chris Bloomer, attorneys in the Construction Law Practice. Digging deeper into the nuances of mechanic’s liens in Indiana, Blake and Chris explore the property that can be the subject of a lien, who can record a lien, and under what circumstances to record a lien. Mechanic’s liens are tremendously powerful in encumbering property and applying pressure for payment upstream in construction projects. Chris and Blake stress the importance of working with a legal professional who has a strong understanding of lien rights, deadlines, and defenses to liens, given the distinct requirements for commercial and residential projects.

Don't miss the latest installment discussing mechanic’s liens and their impact on the construction industry!

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A construction site is a very complicated place.  There’s a number of stakeholders and participants that can create both liability and risk.

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorney, George Lepeniotis speaks with colleagues Blake Holler and Chris Bloomer, attorneys in the Construction Law Practice. While some aspects of construction law look like the “Wild West,” much of the practice area is governed by statutory law. The trio discuss the importance of American Institute of Architects (AIA) documents, the standardized contracts that are foundational for many construction projects. While AIA documents can be important starting points, lawyers are still able to negotiate the specifics of contracts based on the needs of the project. Ultimately, these highly specialized construction contracts serve to prevent future litigation. 

Blake and Chris also begin a discussion about mechanic’s liens, which are governed by the hyper-technical Indiana Mechanic’s Lien Act, which will be the focus of future podcasts. Tune in as George, Blake, and Chris dive into the nuances of the industry.

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In the digital age, where information is constantly being generated, the concepts of privacy are rapidly evolving, especially in the healthcare sector. This transformation has significant implications for both healthcare providers and patients.

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorney, George Lepeniotis speaks with colleague and healthcare regulatory attorney, Chris Kulik, about the timely and controversial topic of web tracking and information-gathering technologies, such as Google Analytics and Metapixel, how those technologies apply to healthcare organizations, and the associated HIPAA concerns.

Tune in as George and Chris explore the intricate world of internet cookies and their usage, the delicate balance between safeguarding personal information and facilitating the free flow of data for healthcare improvement, and the insights every healthcare provider must possess to effectively navigate the increasingly complex landscape of privacy regulations.

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Indiana is a great place to live and work because of the effort that the state legislature puts in behind the scenes. It may not always make headlines, but the state government understands the nuts and bolts of how to keep Indiana moving forward.  

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault attorneys, George Lepeniotis and Randy Head, speak with Senator Rod Bray, President Pro Tempore of the Indiana State Senate. The trio discuss the priorities and challenges of Indiana’s legislature and other top issues important to Hoosiers right now. 

Tune in to hear about Senator Bray’s role as President Pro Tempore and what his job entails, what makes Indiana’s legislature so successful, and what to expect in the upcoming session. Their discussion also covers current topics that are top of mind in Indiana as well as nationally, such as the high costs of childcare, healthcare costs, rising housing costs, and alternative energy. Randy, who is also a former Indiana State Senator, talks about his experience in the Senate and describes the culture in the legislature that has served Hoosiers so well.

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The deadline to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a new law that aims to combat illegal activity typically organized and run by nefarious entities, is fast approaching. Many corporations, LLCs, and other business entities that are privately held or family-owned will likely be subject to the reporting requirements under the CTA. Entities subject to the CTA reporting requirements will be subject to fines and other penalties if compliance is not met. 

In this episode of the Krieg DeVault Podcast Series, Krieg DeVault Business Practice attorneys, George Lepeniotis, Bob Greising, and Travis Lovett discuss the new reporting requirements under the CTA.

Tune in as George, Bob, and Travis highlight the importance of understanding if a company qualifies as a reporting entity and the potential implications for small businesses. The discussion covers the exemptions available, and the challenges businesses may face in complying with the reporting requirements of the CTA. They also delve into who can access the reported information, mentioning criminal enforcement agencies and specific financial institutions. Krieg DeVault is actively assisting clients through alerts and communications while emphasizing the need for awareness and proactive planning to navigate the CTA successfully.

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