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Domestic Relations
Divorce, child custody, support, marriage and adoption lie at the heart of our domestic relations practice. With decades of experience across Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, we guide clients through emotionally charged situations—whether negotiation, mediation, collaborative law or litigation. We listen first, protect your rights, and work toward a fresh start for you and your family.
Lawyer Spotlight
Christopher L. Young
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Chris Young is a shareholder with Bean, Kinney & Korman, focusing his practice on corporate transactions and mergers and acquisitions. Chris assists companies and individuals across the nation...
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News & Highlights
Why Board Members Must Review and Understand Form 990
For many nonprofit organizations, the annual Form 990 is treated as a routine accounting exercise. It is prepared by staff or outside advisors, perhaps reviewed briefly (if at all), and hopefully filed to satisfy minimum IRS requirements. In practice, however, Form 990 functions as something far more consequential for nonprofits. It is a public-facing document that shapes how regulators, donors,… Read more
What is Worrying Our Nonprofit Clients – Part 1: Repetitive Risk Issues
We have spent an intense year helping our nonprofit clients through a wide variety of threats and risks. During that time, we have seen and heard many repetitive concerns and worries expressed across a wide variety of organizations. Rather than siloing this information, we wanted to start a conversation around sharing best practices and approaches to what appears to be… Read more
Paid Sick Leave Is Back on the Table: What Virginia’s New Proposal Would Change and Why It Matters
Paid sick leave legislation has reemerged in Richmond as a focal point of employment law reforms in Virginia that have been going on since 2020. Current proposed legislation would create paid sick leave obligations for employers that extend well beyond the narrow sector-specific mandate now in place, bringing Virginia closer to the employee paid sick leave benefits adopted in a… Read more
FLSA Misclassification is a High‑Stakes Compliance Risk for Employers
For many businesses, classifying employees as “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can feel routine—almost administrative. Yet this single decision often carries with it significant legal and financial consequences. When an employee is treated as exempt from overtime but does not actually meet the FLSA’s strict exemption criteria, as discussed below, the misclassification can expose the employer to… Read more
Protecting Owners from Unlicensed Contractors
Selecting a contractor is one of the most consequential decisions an owner or developer makes during a construction project. Whether the work involves a residential renovation, a commercial tenant build-out, or a larger development effort, owners reasonably expect that contractors performing the work are properly licensed, insured, and qualified. Unfortunately, and despite the best intent from contractors, these safeguards often… Read more
Does the FMLA Cover Employee Travel Time for Medical Appointments?
Yes, usually, is the short answer set out in a new DOL opinion letter. An employee is permitted to use leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA or Act) for work time spent in medical appointments either related to their serious medical condition or those of a qualifying family member. Such FMLA leave time extends, in many circumstances,… Read more
Why Employers Often Choose to Settle FLSA Claims — Even When They Have Defenses
When employers are sued under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the initial reaction is often to fight the claim on principle. Many employers believe they complied with the law, paid employees fairly, and did nothing wrong – and, in many cases, they may have valid legal defenses. Even so, employers frequently choose to resolve FLSA claims through early settlement.… Read more
So You Received a DOL Wage & Hour Audit Notice – What’s Next?
Receiving a notice from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division can be unsettling for any employer. While some audits are routine, others can quickly expand into broader investigations and, in some cases, lead to private lawsuits under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). How you respond in the early stages of a DOL wage and hour… Read more
DEI – A TARGET: The DOJ Signals that DEI Programs Will Be an Enforcement Priority with the Use of the False Claims Act in 2026
As federal enforcement priorities continue to evolve, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made clear that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs will be subject to heightened scrutiny where they intersect with federal funding and civil rights compliance. In 2025, the DOJ formally announced the creation of a Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, signaling a renewed focus on the use of… Read more
When Is a Famous Trademark “Abandoned”?
Lessons from the Fight Over the TWITTER® Name If you have followed recent business or technology news, you may have seen headlines suggesting that the Twitter trademark might be “up for grabs.” That claim sounds shocking given the brand’s global recognition, but the dispute raises an important and very practical question for businesses of all sizes: Can a trademark owner lose its… Read more
