UPDATE: The Maryland Office of Shumaker Williams, P.C. Remains Open under Maryland Law. Dear Valued Clients: The Maryland office of Shumaker Williams, P.C., remains physically open in Towson, Maryland. The Executive Order issued by the Governor of Maryland on March 23, 2020, closing all non-essential Maryland businesses, does not include law firms. Our other offices

This is a challenging time. The Covid-19 virus has created local, national and international concerns about the effect on business operation and commercial transactions. Court and arbitration systems have limited access to litigants, postponed most trials and hearing dates, or offer hearings by electronic means only. Our chief priority remains the safety and well-being of

On March 18, 2020, the President Trump signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” into law. The law becomes effective no later than 15 days after enactment. It is not clear when the law will actually go into effect, but that information should be forthcoming from the Department of Labor. It is safe to assume

Enforcement of the anti-business referral provisions of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act1 has certainly had its ups and downs over the years. Originally enacted in 1974, RESPA provides the following prohibition against payment or receipt of anything of value in exchange for the referral of settlement service business in connection with a federally-related

On Tuesday, August 29, 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it is changing the requirements for its reverse mortgage program. The changes are expected to help protect taxpayers while still pursuing the mission of the program. The purpose underlying the changes is to protect other programs in place that are

by Ashley M. Galloway The stock market troubles of recent months have focused many on their diminishing retirement nest eggs.  Most 401(k) plans are “self-directed,” meaning plan participants decide, and are responsible for, how their accounts are invested.  However, there are any number of potential hazards for 401(k) plan administrators, including under self-directed account plans,