Like many people, I am shaken by the deadly fire at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, California. Having spent Monday through Thursday last week talking about life safety first […]
Safety, One Year After Paris
I recently attended a conference at which an esteemed venue industry executive described a new safety initiative for the arenas he is supporting. Having just hired a high profile former police […]
Wages and Hours
Earlier this month, I gave a presentation about the U.S. Department of Labor’s recently heightened scrutiny of employers’ characterization of their workers as “independent contractors,” which led naturally into a […]
“Reasonable” Practices
For people like me who believe that few things are absolute, the law is a satisfying field in which to work. The right answer is whatever is reasonable under the […]
We All Contain Multitudes
When I was a Senior in high school, my English teacher had me read Walt Whitman, including the 52 page epic poem, “Song of Myself.” At the end of his […]
What’s Different About Orlando?
Honestly, I’m struggling to figure out the answer. From a purely statistical standpoint, the June 12, 2016 massacre inside Pulse nightclub left the most casualties of any shooting incident in […]
The Eggshell Skull Plaintiff
A fundamental principle of tort law is that we take the victim as we find them. If a person acts in a way that hurts someone, then the wrongdoer is […]
Duty of Care: Better to Be Smart Than Dumb
Duty of Care: It’s Better to Be Smart than Dumb A venue or event professional who understands the risks is more likely to make reasonable decisions based on established criteria, subject matter expertise, […]
The Indiana State Fair and the Importance of Contracts
When you are creating a new document you intend to use often, or when you receive a proposed contract for a job that includes a significant amount of risk, having […]
What Makes You Feel Safe?
What Makes You Feel Safe? I feel safe when everyone around me knows their job and is trained to do it well. Providing a safe environment is not for amateurs […]