Arbitration
An Ohio court ruled that an employee was bound by a form she signed when hired agreeing to submit any employment-related dispute to binding arbitration.
Contracts
Copyright – Part 1
A federal court in Florida ruled that a computer software program written by an employee was a "work made for hire" that was owned by the employer and not the employee.
Copyright – Part 3
A federal court in Texas ruled that a company committed copyright infringement by making and selling a videotape of a concert in which copyrighted music was performed.
Copyright Law
The United States Supreme Court ruled that publishers cannot place the contents of magazines and other periodicals in online electronic databases and on CD-ROMs without obtaining the permission of writers.
Clergy—Removal
A federal court in Texas ruled that the first amendment prohibited it from resolving a wrongful dismissal and “racketeering” claim brought by a pastor against his denomination.
Church Property
A Pennsylvania court ruled that a painting contractor could be liable on the basis of negligence for injuries sustained by the young children of a pastor who were exposed to lead paint dust.
Contracts
An Ohio court ruled that a church was bound by a contract modification signed by an associate pastor because he had "apparent authority" to sign the modification.
Withholding Construction Payments Due to Poor Workmanship May Be Illegal
Withholding funds in excess of the cost of repairs is "unlawful," court concludes.
Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Favors Arbitration of Employment Disputes
What church leaders need to know.
Employment Practices – Part 2
A Washington court ruled that it was barred from resolving a former church employee's claim that he was forced to resign his position because the church required him to perform more work than was called for in his employment contract.
Employment Practices – Part 2
A federal court in Wyoming ruled that a church did not commit unlawful age or disability discrimination when it did not renew the teaching contract of a teacher who had undergone four hip replacement surgeries.
Employment Practices – Part 1
A federal court ruled that a church did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act when it failed to renew the one-year teaching contract of a teacher who disclosed to church officials that he was suffering from the HIV virus.
Clergy—Removal – Part 2
A Georgia court ruled that it was prevented from resolving a pastor's claim that denominational rules were violated when he was transferred to a new parish.
What Church Treasurers Should Know about Subrogation
A Wisconsin court issues an important decision.
Dismissing Church Employees for Violating Moral Standards
A federal appeals court issues an important ruling.
Employment Practices – Part 1
The Montana Supreme Court ruled that it was barred from resolving a lawsuit brought by a woman who claimed that she had been unlawfully terminated from her employment.
Employment Practices – Part 1
A New York court ruled that it was prevented from resolving a lawsuit brought by former church employees challenging their dismissal by the church.
Failure to Read a Contract
Unexpected financial obligations can arise if contracts aren't thoroughly understood.
Employment Practices – Part 1
A federal court ruled that a 59-year-old principal could sue his employing church-affiliated school for age discrimination when his one-year employment contract was not renewed.
Contracts
A New York court ruled that a church was legally obligated to pay a contractor for a project he completed at the church at the pastor's request.