Insights

In an important decision impacting the letting of public contracts, the Nebraska Supreme Court recently affirmed a judgment entered by the District Court of Douglas County rejecting a taxpayer claim attempting to set aside a multimillion-dollar contract for waste management services with the City of Omaha. James Powers and Alex Shaner lead the defense for McGrath North.  The firm is enthused for its client and the City.  

McGrath North continues its tradition of being highly recognized for excellence in the Chambers USA Legal Guide 2025.  

This week, we proudly hosted our Masters Series seminar, bringing together over 90 attendees from 53 companies to dive deep into the complexities of leave and benefits management. The session, titled "Leave and Benefits A to Z: Navigating State Leave Laws, the FMLA, ADA, Benefit Coordination, and Beyond," provided valuable insights and practical strategies to help organizations stay compliant and support their employees effectively.  

This summit is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their organization’s compliance strategy in a world where data protection is more critical than ever.  

Please join us March 26, 2024, for an informative webinar on the challenges and tasks faced by Condo Association directors. This event will provide a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and duties that directors undertake in managing condo associations. Attorney Bob Dailey will share invaluable insights and best practices to ensure smooth and successful operations. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your understanding of condo association management. Register now and mark your calendars for an enriching experience!  

We are thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 2nd Annual Privacy & Data Protection Summit hosted by McGrath North yesterday.  

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, 2025, delivers significant updates to employee benefits. Most notably, it expands HSA eligibility, increases dependent care FSA limits (finally!), makes permanent student loan repayment assistance, solidifies paid family and medical leave employer tax credits, includes updates for measuring executive compensation taxable caps, and introduces employer contributions to “Trump Accounts” (i.e., investment accounts for children). Below is a breakdown of these updates that could significantly affect how employers offer employee benefits in the years ahead.  

On July 3, 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, more commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“Act”). The Act was signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The Act was structured as a budget reconciliation package to avoid the filibuster requirements in the Senate.  

Yesterday, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB415, amending the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act—the statewide paid sick leave law approved by voters in November 2024 that requires private employers to provide paid sick leave benefits to employees as of October 1, 2025.  

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires group health plans to provide mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits equal to medical/surgical benefits. In September 2024, federal agencies issued the 2024 MHPAEA Final Rule, introducing new compliance requirements with effective dates beginning January 1, 2025.  

529 plans are popular education-savings tools due to their tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses, such as tuition and books. They offer generous lifetime contribution limits, which vary by state, and have been made more flexible with new rules allowing funds to be used in some states for K-12 tuition and in certain circumstances reallocated to a Roth IRA. However, some parents seek alternatives due to uncertainties about their child’s education plans or the desire for more financial flexibility.  

One of the most common triggers of conflict is a will or trust that’s vague, outdated, or both. Beneficiaries may argue over ambiguous language, or feel that an outdated will or trust no longer reflects the decedent’s true intentions.  

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