Articles by Tony Bertolino on ArticleSnatch.com

How You Can Protect Yourself from Claims of Employment Discrimination

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Most employers these days are being faced with the need to make some changes to the way in which their businesses are structured. During these difficult economic times, I am sure that each choice is weighed carefully. As of April 2009, the unemployment rate in Texas stood at 6.7%, which is better than the 9.4% rate of unemployment that the country as a whole is experiencing. This relative good fortune is of little comfort to those whose lives are affected. When you hold the livelihood of others in your hands, there is a great sense of responsibility. You need to make the decisions that are best for your business and family as well as give consideration to the people who work for you. Unfortunately, after issuing a painful but necessary cut to your staff, you still may be accused of discrimination or wrongful termination. Good jobs are hard to come by these days, and employees may try any tactic to keep their positions. You need to be familiar with both federal and state laws that apply to employment practices, as well as know that steps you can take if faced with such a lawsuit. **End Summary** Topics: employer]]> employee]]> discrimination]]> wrongful termination]]> lawyer]]> attorney]]> Texas]]> Austin]]> Houston]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony Bertolino is a managing partner of Bertolino LLP, a law firm with offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Bertolino LLP has attorneys who specialize in the area of business litigation and can assist with issues surrounding employment. Please contact Bertolino LLP to learn how you can be assisted with your legal needs as an employer,

What to Do If You are a Victim of Employment Discrimination

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I am not revealing any great secret by stating that our country is in the middle of tremendously difficult economic times. The smallest businesses to the largest corporations are forced to lay off employees or close their doors altogether. It is likely that every person who is reading this article knows someone who has lost his job, or maybe even is facing this terrifying reality personally. In most instances, I am certain that the employers are taking every step possible before affecting their workforce and are careful in their decisions when employee cuts have to be made. However, there are some unfortunate instances in which bosses make personnel choices that are unfairly based on prejudice, illegal cost-cutting efforts, or pure retaliation. If you believe that you have been a victim of discrimination at your work, or have even been wrongly terminated from your position, it is important that you contact an employment law attorney immediately. You need to know that the laws of Texas are not set up in a way that favors employees. **End Summary** Topics: employment discrimination]]> wrongful termination]]> Texas]]> attorney]]> lawyer]]> Austin]]> Houston]]> San Antonio]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony R. Bertolino is a managing partner with Bertolino LLP, a Texas law firm that has offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Bertolino LLP has attorneys who practice in the area of business litigation and can assist you if you have been the victim of employment discrimination or wrongful termination. Please visit our website to learn more.

Upcoming Child Custody Battle over Michael Jackson's Children Provides Insight into Delicate Issues

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

When Michael Jackson unexpectedly passed away last week, the world was stunned by the death of the fifty-year-old entertainer who left an indelible mark on pop culture. He was preparing for a world tour that was advertised as his fans' last opportunity to see the King of Pop perform on stage. Whether motivated by a desire to sing again or by undeniable financial problems, the tour that would have brought hundreds of thousands into arenas will never happen. Along with his amazing legacy of music and a sorted legal history, Michael Jackson also leaves behind an endless number of questions surrounding his unusual personality and life. What exactly was the cause of his death? An official pronouncement from the coroner has been postponed pending toxicology reports, but rumors are rampant concerning his addiction to prescription drugs and the courts want the opportunity to speak with his various doctors. Will we now learn more about the plastic surgeries and other alterations he chose to endure? Finally, there is a question that likely will be answered in a California courtroom over the weeks and months to come. What is to become of Michael Jackson's children? **End Summary** Topics: Michael Jackson]]> child custody]]> Debbie Rowe]]> Katherine Jackson]]> Texas]]> attorney]]> lawyer]]> Austin]]> Houston]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony R. Bertolino is a managing partner of Bertolino LLP, a law firm with offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Bertolino LLP has attorneys who practice in the areas of family law and celebrity law . To learn more about how Bertolino LLP can assist you with your legal needs, please visit the firm's website .

How to Prepare for an Appearance Before the Texas Medical Board or Texas Board of Nursing

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The past few years have brought a great increase in the number of complaints filed with the Texas Medical Board and Texas Board of Nursing. The influx of cases is due largely to legislation that limited the amount of non-economic damages that patients can receive in a medical malpractice suit. More physicians have recently moved to Texas with an appreciation for the lower malpractice insurance and the decreased threat of a lawsuit that came with the new law. However, more patients now feel that they will receive the justice seek through the medical or nursing boards instead of the courtroom. Will you be ready in the instance that an investigation is started into a complaint filed against you? While your attorney should prepare you for what you can expect when you appear before the medical or nursing board to answer the complaint filed against you, I would like to share my recommendations on what your chosen approach should be from the moment you find out that your day in front of the panel is coming. The "Dos" 1. **End Summary** Topics: Texas Medical Board]]> Texas Board of Nursing]]> medical license]]> nursing license]]> attorney]]> lawyer]]> Austin]]> Houston]]> San Antonio]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony R. Bertolino is a managing partner with Bertolino LLP, a Texas law firm with offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Bertolino LLP has attorneys, particularly in its Austin office, who have great experience appearing before the Texas Medical Board and Texas Board of Nursing .

Career of Fellow Texan Lance Armstrong Highlights the Need for More Sports Law Attorneys

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Some superstar athletes develop such a close association with the city or state in which they perform that you cannot mention one without the other quickly coming to mind. Do you think of Peyton Manning without the city of Indianapolis being part of the picture? Of course not. Unless, that is, you are from Tennessee and you still associate the Hall of Fame quarterback with that "other" UT school that drapes itself in bright orange. Michael Jordan may have studied and played ball at the University of North Carolina and had an awkward late stint with the Washington Wizards, but he always will be associated with Chicago. Here in Texas, we have developed or displayed plenty of amazing athletic talent on the fields and in the arenas. There is a reason that every movie and television program revolving around high school football takes place in Texas. Just think about some of the household names that have played their sport in our state—Troy Aikman, Vince Young, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Nolan Ryan, and Fred Biggio just to name a few. One athlete of whom we are especially proud is native (Austin) Texan Lance Armstrong. **End Summary** Topics: sports law]]> attorney]]> Texas]]> Austin]]> Houston]]> San Antonio]]> Lance Armstrong]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony R. Bertolino is a managing partner of Bertolino LLP. The firm has offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio and employs attorneys who practice in the areas of sports law and entertainment law. Please visit the website of Bertolino LLP to learn more.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy May Be The Fate of Many Businesses throughout Texas

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Like a couple of months ago when Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, this week brought another moment to an essential American industry that did not really come as a surprise, but still sent shockwaves through the economy that are certain to be felt for a long time to come. Another of the "big three" auto makers in the United States, General Motors Corporation, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company now will begin a process of reorganizing itself from top to bottom, with changes in ownership, credit owed, and even merchandise that will be placed on the market all being certain consequences of the bankruptcy. If you have always been a loyal purchaser of GMC products, you may need to be prepared for the reality that your favorite vehicle may no longer be on the lot the next time you visit your local dealership. Instead, as sanctioned by the deal brokered by the federal government, perhaps you instead will find yourself going for a test drive in an energy-efficient car. As we know from the countless media reports, Chrysler and GMC are far from alone in its dire financial circumstances. Many other well-known companies, from Mrs. **End Summary** Topics: bankruptcy]]> Chapter 11]]> Texas]]> attorney]]> lawyer]]> bankrupt]]> law firm]]> Houston]]> San Antonio]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Tony R. Bertolino is the managing partner of Bertolino LLP, a law firm with attorneys in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio who practice Texas bankruptcy law . The attorneys at Bertolino LLP also can assist with creditors' rights and collections for business owners who need to reclaim some of their lost earnings.