The recent scandals at Barclays PLC, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and other banks might give the impression that the financial sector has some serious morality problems. Unfortunately, it’s worse than that: We are dealing with a drop in ethical standards throughout the business world, and our graduate schools are partly to blame. more

Robert P. Brooks, shareholder at Adler Pollock and Sheehan PC, was recently named one of the top 20 most powerful labor attorneys in the nation by Lawdragon Magazine and Human Resource Executive. Candidates for this list usually have impressive recommendations, a list of noteworthy accomplishments and have practiced for more than 20 years. Brooks has represented employers in employment-discrimination matters and a variety of labor arbitration and administrative proceedings. The current chairman of the firm’s labor and employment practice group and a member of its executive and diversity committees, Brooks holds a B.A. from Rhode Island College and a J.D. from Suffolk University. more

BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office said last week that it is seeking a $16 million fine against National Grid for its failure to “adequately prepare, respond and communicate” during Tropical Storm Irene and an October 2011 snowstorm. The penalty is the largest ever recommended against a utility in Massachusetts. more

With high unemployment rates, employers are receiving more applications than ever before in an attempt to fill what limited job openings they have with the most qualified candidates. When reviewing applications, employers should be aware of the new federal protections in place for criminal ex-offenders. more

After serving 44 years as the first and only bankruptcy judge in the state, U.S. District Judge Arthur Votolato celebrated his retirement among friends on Tuesday. more

BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office will hold four educational forums on the Open Meeting Law throughout the state during September and October, including one in Taunton. more

Commercial landlords and tenants, similar to other parties transacting in a particular business area, have a language all their own when negotiating leases. more

Richard J. Land, an attorney with Chase Ruttenberg & Freedman LLP, has been appointed state receiver in the 38 Studios LLC bankruptcy case, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced Thursday. more

Rep. James R. Langevin, D-R.I., has been a consistent voice in Congress in the fight to raise public consciousness about the threats hackers pose to the nation’s computer networks. So too has he been vocal about the opportunity Rhode Island has to get in on the ground floor of the still-fledgling cybersecurity industry. more

Despite signs of a real estate recovery, vacant and abandoned properties threaten to keep many capital city neighborhoods hopelessly behind the curve. To understand just how bad the problem is, consider this: A proposed ordinance designed to put some teeth into efforts to clean up such nuisance properties has the public backing of Mayor Angel Taveras and the entire 15-member City Council even before it comes to an expected vote in September! more