Lanigan & Lanigan, P.L.
831 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, Florida 32789
407-740-7379
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The Law
At-will Florida employment law confuses many Americans who still believe an employer needs a reason to fire an employee. That’s not true. The at-will doctrine says you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. It exists everywhere but Montana. For people who are not looking at the contract or agreement they sign when they get a new job, it’s time to start looking closely because the words “at will” may be somewhere in what is signed. What Is At-Will Florida Employment Law? Florida is a state with at-will employment laws meaning an employer can fire an employee without any cause or notice. Employees who have an at-will employment agreement can be fired tomorrow without being given any notice or reason because employment policy is in line with the state’s law. In addition, employees have no say except if they feel they were fired based on illegal discrimination or illegal termination in violation of a public policy. The good news is that an at-will employee may quit the job without having to give any notice as well. Unlike a salaried job, an at-will job is basically any job that is paid by the hour and does not have a lot of rights to grievances. Permanent employees cannot be fired at will, have rights to grievances and can sue their employer. In any position human resources is the gatekeeper. They ask the reason for termination and the rationale. This is done to cover the employer and to make sure that procedures are followed prior to dismissal to correct or to document employee performance. Lanigan and Lanigan, Civil and Business...
The Law
Even though Florida’s laws are some of the most debtor-friendly in the United States, find an attorney that understands Florida asset protection law. If you become a resident your personal property is covered despite where the accounts and assets are held but there are always limits say Orlando asset protection attorneys Roddy Lanigan and Eric Lanigan. Understanding Florida Asset Protection Law Wages, earnings and other compensation are covered under the law, and the cash value of insurance policies until you die. Only then can creditors collect what you owe them. But there are no blanket safety nets available no matter how much wealth you have. Find out what an attorney can do to clarify Florida asset protection law for you by consulting with Eric and Roddy Lanigan of Lanigan and Lanigan. Annuities, for example, have been found by the Florida Courts to be exempt from creditors. There are methods to help make certain you keep your money in the family. From purchasing international annuities from Lichtenstein or Switzerland, which protect them from outside creditors or moving a U.S. business headquarters to Switzerland to take advantage also of the lower tax rate, there are legal, economically sound options to help maintain wealth and investments. But hire a lawyer with the economic experience that includes years of asset protection, education and clients. Your financial future is a big decision so choose carefully and ask questions about asset protection knowledge. Constitution and subsequent court rulings exempt what is called “homestead property” from creditors, and Florida courts have quite interpreted definitions of homestead property to include more than just a single-family home. Condominiums,...
The Law
No one wants to think about getting arrested for a crime, but it’s better to have an understanding of the Florida criminal case process if you do. Accidents do occur that can be considered criminal acts. At least be aware that if you’re accused of a crime and arrested that you’ll need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Florida Criminal Case Process If you have been accused of a crime here’s what may lie ahead for you if you’re considered a suspect. Be sure to ask for an attorney and for a phone call. At that point consult with Roddy Lanigan, an Orlando criminal defense attorney who provides aggressive representation with a personal touch. Talk with a lawyer before talking with the arresting officer in any criminal case. It’s your right and you don’t have to answer questions without an attorney present. The Arrest When a crime is alleged to have been committed and a suspect is asked to come in, apprehended, arrested or brought into the police station, an arresting police officer will read a suspect Miranda Rights. Questions may be asked of the suspect who has the right to have an attorney present and a right to a phone call before questioning occurs. Suspects do not have to answer questions and should have an attorney present during all questioning. If there is enough suspicion or proof that a crime occurred a suspect is taken into custody and held in jail. Fingerprints and a photo are taken. The arrest report is filed. First Appearance When a defendant is arrested and unable to post bond, he or she is entitled...
The Law
A business turnaround can be achieved to avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy if action is taken in time with a business reorganization. Lanigan and Lanigan, have been advising and consulting with Central Florida businesses in good times and bad times and can work with you to see if your business can be righted by reorganizing. Winter Park business lawyers Roddy Lanigan and Eric Lanigan have helped financially strapped and internally challenged businesses successfully work through complex financial schematics and forego Chapter 11 bankruptcy. When a company struggling with debt, limited cash flow, no asset protection, strained vendor relations and unfocused leadership decides to reorganize every aspect of the business goes under an economic P&L microscope. Avoid Chapter 11 With Business Reorganization Corporate reorganizations involve reducing or changing company operation, determining which portions of the company to consider selling to investors, how to finance debt and how financial gains are shared. The complexities involve current and forecasted financial strategy and all changes to a company whether big or small involve many choices, risks and outcomes. This plan should identify the most important areas of your business. What are the most basic departments you need to keep your company running? What key documents and other items do those departments need to operate short-term? A list should specify the necessary equipment. It may include software and hardware for the technology department as well as business equipment and spare parts. And you must create a basic operating budget detailing all expenses. Find out the minimum financing you need to keep your business running. Reorganization rescues businesses from financial distress. The actual benefits of...
The Law
The number of work-related visas are limited therefore individuals seeking employment-based visas in Central Florida depend on direction and support that only an experienced immigration attorney can provide.Orlando attorneys Eric Lanigan and Roddy Lanigan, Lanigan and Lanigan, P.L., provide immigration assistance and work with multinational corporations and foreign nationals with immigration needs. The Number of Work Related Visas Are Limited There are a restricted number of visas provided annually in the U.S. They’re preference-based and because they are difficult to obtain, it’s important to know the basics before applying. EB-5 Visa for Investors Who Create Jobs Employment creation through investments EB-4 Visa for Special Immigrants Retired employees of international organizations Current and former employees of the U.S. Government at overseas locations. Religious workers working with or for a religious organization in the U.S. EB-3 Visa for Skilled or Professional Workers Professionals with a B.A. or B.S. who may not qualify for a higher preference or category Certain skilled workers with a minimum of two years training and experience Other workers with certain circumstances that allow for less than two years’ experience or training EB-2 Visa for Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Persons with Exceptional Ability Exceptional ability in the sciences, business or arts Members of certain identified professions who hold advanced degrees or their equivalent EB-1 Visa for Priority Workers Labor certifications aren’t required for EB-1 visa categories. A job offer to the foreign national is required only for outstanding professors/researchers and multinational managers/executives, i.e., EB 1.2 and EB 1.3 Outstanding researchers and professors Certain multinational managers and executives Extraordinary ability in the sciences, business, athletics, education, or arts...
The Law
Immigration authorities say the number of applications for special visas for crime victims and trafficking victims to stay in the country have increased with the outreach by federal officials’ to local law enforcement. U.S. law provides several protections for legal and undocumented immigrants who have been victims of a crime. Special Visas for Crime Victims Provide Legal Protection Often victims are unaware of such protections, thus frontline workers serve as a critical link for immigrant victims. There are specific protections for victims of domestic violence, victims of certain crimes, and victims of human trafficking. Community advocates in Florida and across the U.S. are concerned that law enforcement officials are consistently providing paperwork required for victims to apply for crime visas. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials say more than 13,000 crime victims have applied for the visas so far in 2011, a 28 percent increase from 2010. Among trafficking victims there is a 51 percent increase. Florida Trafficking Victims Florida crime and trafficking victims should be informed of the ability to receive visas from local law enforcement officials who have been trained in cities across the country to do do. Community advocates have found that sometimes law enforcement officials have not always provided paperwork required for victims to apply for crime...
