A hospitality professional recounts a 1992 financial crisis during a corporate relocation to Canmore, needing $4,500 in unexpected closing costs with no resources and one day to spare.
Despite strong demand, Miami Beach operators face tightening margins due to misaligned policies and lack of coordination between tourism stakeholders.
A former hotel executive recalls lessons in leadership and respect during a 1989 corporate conference at The Empress Hotel following its major renovation.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) has fundamentally changed the landscape for real estate investment in America—permanently enshrining the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) framework and expanding the horizon for hotel mixed-use development. For developers, investors, lenders, and deal sponsors, the new OBBB regime offers unmatched certainty, flexibility, and opportunity—but it also demands rigorous compliance and strategic planning. Here’s a deep-dive narrative for industry professionals charting the future of hospitality-led community reinvestment.
With the recent change in the makeup of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), many employers are asking whether there are any labor relations issues they should be preparing for to best position their businesses to operate with maximum flexibility and achieve organizational goals. Even with an NLRB that, by all appearances, will be more employer friendly than its predecessor, the answer is yes. This is because unions may likely turn to certain tactics to add unrepresented employees to existing bargaining units in the workplace.
For small business owners, facing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit can feel like an uphill battle. These lawsuits often allege accessibility violations, and the costs of litigation can be daunting, even for businesses striving to comply with ADA regulations. However, a recent victory in the case of Orlando Garcia v. Zarco Hotels Inc. (Case No. 21STCV00023), defended by Stuart Tubis, Esq. and Martin Orlick, Esq., provides a roadmap for defendant businesses to not only fight these lawsuits but also recover significant attorneys’ fees when they prevail. It takes the right facts, the right lawyer and a genuine commitment to fight for what is right.
After many years of study and proposals, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finally adopted its Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, or junk fees, which takes effect on May 12, 2025.
About one year ago, the state of California passed two bills that introduced significant changes for the state’s hotel industry. By mid-May of 2025, the United States will implement a similar, comprehensive law that will affect hoteliers around the globe.
The news is full of headlines about President Trump’s announcement last week (February 25, 2025), that in the next two weeks, he will propose a $5 million “Gold Card” program to replace the EB-5 program. The new program would allow wealthy individuals to pay $5 million directly to the US government to obtain US citizenship.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, the strength of a company lies not just in its products or services but in the team driving those results. How do you build a team that not only works together but thrives together? It goes beyond job descriptions and competitive pay; it’s about creating a shared sense of purpose and fostering an environment where individuals are aligned with the organization’s mission and values. To cultivate a high-performing team, leaders must focus on three essential pillars: Talent, Leadership, and Team Culture.
This was the main thought I had when looking to attend AH&LA’s Legislative Action Summit in DC (Hyatt Regency at Capitol Hill). It came at a time when I had left the hotel industry, wondering if I had hit my ceiling and didn’t know my path forward. I enjoyed working in hotels but told myself I’d try food and beverage in other avenues, to see if there was something I enjoyed. But during that time away there was something pulling me to keep researching, keep watching, and I discovered the Under 30 Gateway Group, a group dedicated to connecting young and aspiring professionals in the hotel space.
An offshoot of the well-established Potter Handy firm, The Reddy Law Firm is quickly becoming known for its aggressive pursuit of claims under the California Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Disabled Persons Act. These lawsuits, often referencing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are primarily filed by serial plaintiffs who challenge businesses on a variety of accessibility issues, from parking and entrances to sales counters.
First, the nomenclature of the forbidden practices, then the names for the law, a summary of the latest events, and details of the final California Junk Fee Law. In this article, we will focus on the changes to the California Civil Code (CC), and particularly CC Section 1770) of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CC 1750, et eq.).
In the morning hours of June 25, 2024, the California Assembly unanimously approved Senate Bill 1534, an emergency response to the special interests of restaurants and labor (the California Restaurant Association and UNITE HERE), exempting any “restaurant, bar, food concession, grocery store or grocery delivery service” from application of the SB 478’s Honest Pricing Law that was passed in last year to become effective on July 1, 2024.
On June 11, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed HR 6543, the so-called “No Hidden FEES Act of 2023” which introduces federal regulations aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in the advertising of hotel room and short-term lodging prices. A critical component of this Act is its preemption clause, found in Section 4(a), which establishes a national standard prohibiting states from enforcing any laws that conflict with the federal mandate. This provision has significant implications for state regulations, such as California’s SB 478, which also aims to protect consumers from hidden fees in various transactions. The scope and application of this preemption clause are essential for assessing how state laws will be affected and ensuring compliance with the new federal standards.
Mark S. Adams is the go-to senior lawyer in JMBM’s hospitality litigation team for assessing legal exposure, pursuing legitimate claims, and defending a client’s rights involving hospitality matters.
For more than 20 years consumers have complained about hidden mandatory fees, junk fees, resort fees, destination fees, service fees, administration fees, health fees, surcharges, connection fees, and similar charges, whatever they are called.
California businesses brace for Senate Bill 478‘s impact. SB 478 was signed by Governor Newsom in October 2023 and became effective July 1, 2024. It cracks down on hidden fees, often referred to as “junk fees” and “drip pricing” (because the full cost is only disclosed drip by drip). It will likely change how businesses approach pricing strategies. Many say it is part of a nationwide response to President Joe Biden’s call to eliminate Junk Fees.
On April 7, 2024, the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce released the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA). While every Congress for more than a decade has introduced multiple proposals to address privacy rights on a national scale, none have gained traction, and while there’s every reason to suspect that the APRA will meet the same fate – headwinds are coming from the states that have already adopted comprehensive privacy statutes, and it is notoriously difficult to adopt legislation in an election year, and especially now), the APRA is being taken seriously, and might be the basis for a long-awaited, and long-needed, national privacy law.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s recent decision to ban non-compete agreements marks a pivotal shift in employment regulations nationwide. This rule not only prohibits new agreements but also retroactively impacts existing ones. From its broad definition of “worker” to its exceptions and impending legal challenges, understanding the nuances of this rule is crucial for employers preparing for compliance. JMBM Partner Michael H. Strub, Jr. explains the implications of this landmark decision.