On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and the country avoided falling off the fiscal cliff. The Act contains important transfer tax provisions. Whereas the estate tax, gift tax and generation skipping tax exclusions were scheduled to revert to $1 million on January 1st, they are now set.

Shakespeare once famously wrote “What’s in a name?” As business owners know, a lot. And competitors’ products or services that try to capitalize on that name are not nearly as sweet as your own. Recognizing the importance of protecting a business’s brand, identity and reputation, in today’s business climate, FOS is growing its trademark practice.

As you begin to contemplate preparing your 2012 tax returns, it is never too early to begin planning for your 2013 tax returns. There are significant changes on the horizon for 2013, not only as a result of the taxes found in the Affordable Care Act, but also as a result of the recently passed.

Your sales team is underperforming, so you’ve decided to cut the 5 employees with the worst records. Or, your employer is undergoing reorganization, and you’ve heard that your department is going to be downsized by 10%. Even though employment may be “at will,” employers often offer separation agreements to departing employees. Those employees get some.

FOS shareholder Fran Hughes will present “Social Media in the Workplace” on March 15, 2013. The presentation is part of the Marquette University Law School’s Annual Traveling CLE Program, in Phoenix, Arizona. FOS shareholder Matt O’Neill will moderate the program “How to Handle a Rambo Opposing Counsel or a Challenging Judge,” presented to the Thomas.