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Articles by James Austin
Choosing Colors That Flatter Your Skin Tone
California has long been associated with opportunity—home to innovation hubs, global industries, and some of the highest incomes in the United States. Yet, it is also one of the most expensive places to live, creating a financial paradox. While earning potential is high, so are taxes, housing costs, and everyday expenses. As a result, traditional wealth-building advice often falls short in this environment.
BIPA Alert: Seventh Circuit Ruling Applies BIPA Amendments Retroactively, Ending “Per Scan” Exposure For Companies Operating In Illinois
Foley & Lardner are most popular: within Coronavirus (COVID-19) topic(s) In a major positive development for employers facing biometric privacy litigation under the Illinois’ Biometric Information Protection Act (BIPA), the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously held that the 2024 legislative amendments to BIPA’s damages provisions apply retroactively to pending cases.
BIPA Alert: Seventh Circuit Ruling Applies BIPA Amendments Retroactively, Ending “Per Scan” Exposure for Companies Operating in Illinois
In a major positive development for employers facing biometric privacy litigation under the Illinois’ Biometric Information Protection Act (BIPA), the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously held that the 2024 legislative amendments to BIPA’s damages provisions apply retroactively to pending cases. This decision dramatically curtails potential billion-dollar exposure for Illinois employers and represents the definitive end of so-called “per-scan” damages.
Minnesota's New Paid Leave Law Is Here: What Employers Need To Do Before January 1, 2026
FL Foley & Lardner More Foley & Lardner LLP looks beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and their industries. With over 1,100 lawyers in 24 offices across the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia, Foley approaches client service by first understanding our clients’ priorities, objectives and challenges.
New Illinois Workplace Pay Transparency Act Amendments Target Employer Agreements
On August 15, 2025, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 3638 into law amending the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (IWTA). These amendments, which take effect June 1, 2026, expand employee protections by broadening definitions, tightening restrictions on certain contractual provisions, and altering available remedies for employees bringing actions against employers for violations of the IWTA.
Illinois Workplace Pay Transparency Act Amendments
On August 15, 2025, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 3638 into law amending the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (IWTA). These amendments, which take effect June 1, 2026, expand employee protections by broadening definitions, tightening restrictions on certain contractual provisions, and altering available remedies for employees bringing actions against employers for violations of the IWTA.
Seventh Circuit Establishes New Standard for FLSA Conditional Collective Certification: How This May Benefit Employers
The Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Richards v. Eli Lilly & Co. et al. (Aug. 5, 2025) marks a pivotal shift in how district courts manage collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The ruling injects much-needed rigor into the notice process, requiring courts to consider evidence from both sides before notice is sent to hundreds or thousands of potential plaintiffs.
Time to limber up for new flexible working laws
With UK employees able to seek more flexibility in their working lives from next year, after the Flexible Working Bill was passed into law this summer, there are key points that both employers and employees need to be aware of. As part of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, which is expected to come into force in 2024, after achieving Royal Assent in July, employees will have the right to make two flexible-working requests within any 12-month period.
Fired for being annoying
For employers it can be a real challenge to deal with difficult employees and personality clashes within the workplace. Whilst such clashes can have a detrimental impact on the success of an organisation, they can also severely disrupt team morale, absence levels, employee retention and health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The perils of the work Christmas party
As the Christmas party season gets into full swing employers must be aware of their responsibilities and potential liabilities arising from behaviour at festive celebrations. For employment lawyers, Decembers and Januarys are filled with questions and enquiries from employers in the aftermath of work Christmas parties. Questions, questions Things like ‘There’s an awkwardness between Rob and Sheila since the party and it’s affecting the team.
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