Media
Tampa Bay Business Journal
A recent lawsuit filed by several of the Tampa Bay Rays minority owners against owner Stu Sternberg claims that there has been a lack of transparency regarding the operations of the franchise and that earned distributions have been withheld from the minority owners. As partial owners, the plaintiffs allege the only way to realize a return on their investment is through financial distributions or the sale of their shares.
Although the lawsuit is focused on partnership issues, many fans expected that it would result in a change of ownership of the franchise. Even St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman joined in, suggesting that Sternberg consider relinquishing control of the Tampa Bay Rays. However, “It doesn’t seem like that is what’s even being requested,” said Michael Singer, an attorney at Lieser Skaff Alexander in Tampa. Instead, the claims presented in the suit are focused on financial and tax issues among the owners.
To learn more, please read the full article if you have a subscription to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Many employers want to discourage employees from gathering in large groups while off duty, and former LSA Attorney Alissa Kranz discusses the challenges employers face and some options to encourage cooperation. Caution is needed to avoid discrimination and other lawsuits.
WTSP Tampa Bay 10
Former LSA Attorney Alissa Kranz served as a business legal expert for WTSP Tampa Bay 10 to discuss whether employers can require employees to receive a Covid-19 vaccine if and when it becomes available. Alissa stated that it is likely that employers can mandate this within OSHA rules and guidelines but exemptions allow employees to opt out for health or religious reasons.
SHRM.org
Former LSA attorney Alissa Kranz was one of a select group of lawyers with business expertise who were interviewed for an article that was published in SHRM. The article focused on whether employers can require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination if or when one becomes available. Alissa discussed how employees might respond negatively to a mandate for vaccination and how this may impact an employer’s workforce.
Tampa Bay Business Journal
In a recent guest article, LSA attorney Jeff Lieser discussed the limitations of using waivers to protect businesses from potential Covid-19 based lawsuits. No waiver provides complete protection from lawsuits and workers compensation claims but may do so in some situations. However, the wording of the waiver is important and there are non-legal implications of waivers that businesses should consider.
The Impact Lawyers
LSA Attorney Jeff Lieser wrote an article for The Impact Lawyers publication in which he discussed the many challenges of reopening a law practice, or any businesses, during the COVID epidemic. He shared 10 actions that lawyers and other business leaders can take to create a safe and supportive environment for their staff and clients throughout the reopening process.
AM Tampa Bay
Former LSA Attorney Alissa Kranz participated as a guest expert on this podcast and explained that employers can require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, but there are many exemptions to this statement. Religious beliefs, disabilities, and those who may have a severe reaction can request an exemption and they have the right to do so.
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Former LSA Attorney Daniel Drake was published in the Tampa Bay Business Journal to discuss the risk of landlords could begin evictions in the coming weeks. Florida’s statewide moratorium on evictions protected COVID-impacted renters but this protection ended on September 1 st and it is expected that many landlords will begin eviction proceedings at this time.
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa business former LSA lawyer Alissa Kranz said businesses have the legal right to deny anyone entry to their property for not wearing a mask like they do for a shopper not wearing shoes or a shirt. But acting on that puts employees in a difficult position.
AM Tampa Bay
Former LSA attorney Alissa Kranz spoke with AM Tampa Bay regarding the use of waivers to protect businesses from lawsuits by patrons and employees. Waivers offer no protection if businesses there is intentional or negligent conduct. Waivers may be beneficial in some circumstances but nothing can protect you from being sued.
AM Tampa Bay
The initial Payroll Protection Program (PPP) was not well designed and funds were quickly depleted. The second round of PPP funding allows more businesses to qualify for loan forgiveness. Attorney Jeff Leiser discussed the challenges of the loan forgiveness process and strategies for a successful outcome.
WTSP 10 News
As businesses reopen, questions have arisen regarding who is liable if an employee or customer contracts COVID-19 while at a place of business. Generally, the public assumes liability when they go out into the world, but the business must do everything possible to operate a safe space.
Spectrum News
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, attorney Jeffery Lieser discussed liability issues that business owners should understand as they prepare to reopen. Speaking as an expert with Stephanie Claytor, he stated the importance of reopening to avoid losing customers and income, but the necessity of following every piece of guidance available to minimize liability risks.
AM Tampa Bay – 970 WFLA Podcasts
Former LSA Attorney Alissa Kranz joined AM Tampa Bay to discuss how Florida – and other states – are beginning to allow various businesses to reopen. But what happens if your employer is legally allowed to reopen for business, but you don’t feel it’s safe to return to the workplace? Can your boss force you to go to the office? Can you be fired for refusing to do so?
ABC Action News
If you happen to be one of those people that are laid off and you’re not getting your paycheck and you can’t pay your rent, what do you do? That’s a tough answer at the moment, but I’ll tell you that it was addressed by the local courts here in Florida,” said former LSA attorney Daniel Drake.
AM Tampa Bay
Former Tampa LSA Attorney Dan Drake joined AM Tampa Bay to discuss what you need to know about the government’s economic impact payments.
Business Observer
Business owners who publish unique content on their websites can seek copyright protection to stop competitors from illegally copying and republishing their content. In a Business Observer article, Jeff Lieser discussed steps companies can take to protect their intellectual property.
AM Tampa Bay
When AM Tampa Bay discussed the controversial job description posted on LinkedIn that listed “Preferably Caucasian” as a requirement, they turned to former LSA employment attorney Laura Coleman for an expert legal opinion. Laura explained that this type of discrimination is not allowed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the state of Florida unless there is a bonafide occupational qualification for limiting applicants.
Orlando Sentinel
A Central Florida businessman is suing an aquarium maker whose exclusive works are featured on the reality TV show “Tanked,” claiming the company took his money but didn’t build the one-of-a-kind aquarium in his backyard he planned to fill with rays, sharks and exotic fish. The lawsuit accuses Las Vegas aquarium-maker Acrylic Tank Manufacturing of breach of contract and unjust enrichment for accepting — but not returning — $147,000 paid up front by Oliver Dawoud.
The Observer News
Probate attorney Karen Prevatt oversaw a $200,000 bequest from her client Brenda Peichart Peash that now funds mental health services for Sun City residents in need. The funds were bequeathed specifically to Mental Health Care Inc., which is now known as Gracepoint in Tampa. The program will use Ms. Peichart Peash’s gift to provide weekly mental health services to this community on an ongoing basis over the next five years. Transportation severely limits residents in this community from accessing this type of care, and Gracepoint’s mobile van is now able to bridge that gap to serve high-risk individuals in their homes.
Ms. Prevatt heads the Lieser, Skaff Alexander Sun City law offices and specializes in probate, wills and estates. She served as legal counsel for the Southshore Coalition for Mental Health & Aging.
The Hill
Jeff’s article on Operation New Dawn was also published in The Hill, a Washington D.C based newspaper written about national policy focused on business and lobbying particularly regarding Congress. It has the largest circulation of any other Capitol Hill newspaper.
The Tampa Tribune
As a veteran of Operation New Dawn, Jeff Lieser offered a
letter, which was published in The Tampa Tribune regarding a few of the issues surrounding the 2011 troop withdrawal from Iraq.
Tampa Bay Times
Jeff Lieser was selected as one of six delegates by the America Council of Young Political leaders (ACYPL), a bipartisan organization funded in part by the Department of State, to represent the United State on a delegation to Australia. Afterwards, The Tampa Bay Times
published a letter Jeff wrote regarding of Australia’s health care system.
Florida Bar News
Jeff Lieser of Lieser Skaff Alexander in Tampa and an Army reservist spoke at Lake County’s Annual Law Day luncheon about his recent deployment to Iraq, where he prosecuted terrorist defendants.
Newsradio 970 WFLA
Jeff Lieser joined AM Tampa bay on NewsRadio WFLA as a guest to discuss property law issues regarding a Florida man whose home was taken over by squatters. Listen to the podcast of his visit With Jack Harris, Tedd Webb and Corey Dylan.
WTSP 10News
WTSP 10News tapped into Jeff Lieser’s construction law experience regarding the $2 Million lien on the newly opened Tampa Premium Outlets. Lieser explains that construction liens are common in larger projects or developments such as this Outlet Mall project where liens against the property owner are filed after subcontractors do not pay the general contractors. Watch the interview.
Fox 13
Fox 13 sought the advice of Tampa Real Estate Attorney, Joe Alexander regarding a recent noise complaint at a luxury apartment that escalated to threats of violence caught on a video that has gone viral. Joe gives legal advice as to what details landlords can include in a lease agreement to give them leverage in resolving similar problems. Watch the interview.
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Former LSA attorney Alissa Kranz analyzed three scenarios employers may face in the weeks ahead if an employee does not want to return to work due to fear of contracting the Coronavirus.
ABC Action News
ABC Action News visited the new offices of Lieser Skaff Alexander seeking real estate law advice from partner Joe Alexander. After a veteran unexpectedly passed away in his apartment, his landlord would not allow his grieving sisters to enter that apartment to obtain personal property needed to settle the estate. Read the blog post to get a detailed explanation of the law behind the landlord’s actions and learn strategies to avoid this problem for either party in a real estate lease agreement.
Tampa Bay’s WFLA
Chanel 8 On Your Side recently sought Lieser Skaff Alexander attorney Jeff Lieser’s experience in construction law for a news story about problems with the unfinished Tempo residential high-rise project that was to be the jewel in the Tampa Housing Authority’s crown. Jeff was interviewed about a report commissioned by the THA that detailed a myriad of construction flaws that have plagued this project and the story was featured during prime-time.
AM Tampa Bay
AM Tampa Bay recently asked former LSA Attorney Alissa Kranz to give her legal opinions regarding the class-action lawsuit filed by Florida employees against Facebook. The employees claim that they experienced severe trauma from watching intense and disturbing videos, which was a job requirement. Alissa explained that a key issue could be whether or not the company disclosed the extreme nature of these videos to the employees prior to the start of their work. She also discussed the challenges of filing the case as a class-action lawsuit since each employee would have had a different level of trauma from watching the videos.
HOA Consultation for ABC Action News
When homeowners clashed with their HOA over an abandoned property, ABC Action News interviewed Jeff Lieser of Lieser Skaff Alexander to explain the legal rights and challenges of the situation. The fact that the HOA is also the current owner of the home, which is in serious disrepair, is hindering neighbors’ ability to force the association to responsibly address the problem.
