The MSBA Construction Law and Labor & Employment Law Sections jointly presented a panel discussion of Senate Bill 853 General Contractor’s Liability for Unpaid Wages on October 23, 2018, at the Sheraton Columbia in Columbia, MD. Panelists include Christopher Ryon (Kahn, Smith & Collins, P.A.), Cheryl Brown (Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC), and Jim Thompson (Harkins Builders, Inc.).
The bill, which took effect on October 1, 2018, holds a general contractor liable for the unpaid wages of its lower tier subcontractors. The program touched upon such germane topics as understanding the potential claims that may be asserted by a claimant’s attorney, the defenses available to a contractor, how to manage the risk and avoid a potential claim, and how to respond when faced with a claim.
“[SB 853], which holds a general contractor liable for the unpaid wages of its lower tier subcontractors, provided the Construction Law and Labor and Employment Law Sections with a great opportunity to collaborate and educate our members about issues relevant to prosecuting and defending claims under the new law, as well as strategies to manage the risk posed to our respective clients,” says Robin G. Banks, Chair of the Construction Law Section.
Construction Law and Labor & Employment Law are just two of MSBA’s 30 Sections, most of which are dedicated to unique substantive areas of the law. Section members use these platforms to share news and resources, learn from each other via regular events and CLE programming, and stay connected to the profession by way of discussion groups and newsletters. Visit MSBA online to learn more.