We are pleased to announce that TBHR Partner Dara Lynn Freytag has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Boston Estate Planning Council for a three-year term. She will take office on July 1, 2024. Dara Lynn has a long and successful history with the BEPC, having served in a number of roles including chairing the Seminars and Webinars Committee, Women's Initiative Committee, and the organization's Membership Committee. Founded in 1930, BEPC is one of the oldest and largest estate planning councils in the U.S. Its membership includes more than 700 attorneys, accountants, bank and trust officers, wealth managers and advisors, financial planners, insurance agents, appraisers, planned giving specialists, and other allied professionals in the estate and wealth planning community.

On April 24 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) passed a groundbreaking new rule that bans employers from imposing non-compete agreements on their workers. This new regulation, which is scheduled to become effective 120 days after being published in the Federal Register, has the potential to significantly impact businesses across the United States, forcing them to reconsider their strategies for retaining talent and protecting corporate secrets. The rule is not yet effective and it may not reach that point. Let's take an overview of the new rules, discuss how they might affect existing non-compete agreements, and explore alternative measures businesses can take to adapt to this change.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has proposed a new rule aimed at combating money laundering in the U.S. residential real estate sector. The rule would require certain professionals involved in non-financed residential real estate transactions to report information to FinCEN, including beneficial ownership details of entities and trusts receiving the property. This nationwide reporting requirement builds on FinCEN's existing Geographic Targeting Order program and is designed to enhance transparency while minimizing business burden. The proposed rule, if finalized, would help law enforcement investigate and prosecute money laundering through U.S. residential real estate, protecting the country's economic and national security. A fact sheet about the proposed rule from FinCEN.gov can be accessed at the link below.