mark adams
California’s New Junk Fee Law Now Has Worldwide Effect. Here’s What You Need to Know to Avoid Costly Litigation
Jim Butler | July 3, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com On July 1, 2024, California’s new Junk Fee Law took effect. It could have worldwide impact if prices for goods or services are publicly advertised and reach California residents. How can you avoid that with online ads and other public broadcasts over commercial media? In anticipation of this event, many international hotel companies, cruise lines, travel providers, ticket sellers, and online sellers have already changed their advertising and promotions to comply with California law rather than risk violation. Watch for a big change to ...
Hotel Lawyer: New Federal Junk Fee Law – The No Hidden FEES Act of 2023 (HR 6543)
Mark S. Adams | June 14, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges. HR 6543: The US Congress wants in on Junk Fee regulation for hotels Over the past several weeks, we have written about recent major regulatory developments concerning Junk F...
Jim Butler Asks Mark S. Adams for Update on California Junk Fee law: Would SB 1524 Gut SB 478’s Honest Pricing for All?
Mark S. Adams | June 12, 2024
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. Jim Butler caught up with Mark to find out what all the fuss is about over California’s Junk Fee law (SB 478) and a proposed amendment by SB 1524 that has consumer advocates for transparent consumer prices in an uproar. Jim Butler: As a hospitality litigator and advisor, you have been at the forefront in junk fee matters for many years, and have written extensively about the latest developments. Tell us what all the fuss is about c...
Pricing Transparency Without Hidden Mandatory Junk Fees. Does This Apply to Restaurants Too?
Mark S. Adams | June 10, 2024
New California proposed law (SB 1524 ) says “No!” Can this be right? By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges. Pricing transparency without hidden mandatory junk f...
Junk Fees Are Banned in California as of July 1, 2024! What Does the California Junk Fee Law (SB 478) Mean?
Mark Adams | May 13, 2024
By Mark Adams 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. What’s in a name? SB 478 or California Junk Fee Law? The confusion starts with how to reference the new law. Many refer to it by the Senate Bill number assigned w...
The Final Check-Out: Bidding Farewell to Undisclosed Mandatory Resort Fees
Mark Adams | December 20, 2023
By Mark Adams, Experienced trial lawyer and a member of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® and Chinese Investment Group™ Presently pending in the U.S. Senate is a bipartisan-supported bill that would do the same. These bills join state governments, federal authorities, state attorneys general, and consumer advocacy groups in intensified scrutiny of undisclosed mandatory resort fees included in hotel rates. Additionally, several state attorney generals and consumer groups are targeting hotels that charge undisclosed resort fees. In response to this developing trend, it is imperative for hotel owners to quickly implement full transp...
JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® Announces 5th Edition of The HMA & Franchise Agreement Handbook
Jim Butler | January 23, 2023
The Global Hospitality Group® of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM) is pleased to announce publication of the 5th edition of The HMA & Franchise Agreement Handbook, a guide for hotel owners, developers, investors and operators considering a hotel management agreement (HMA) or franchise agreement, or dealing with the challenges of termination of one. Co-authored by JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® Chairman, Jim Butler, senior Group member Robert E. Braun and Mark S. Adams, the 5th edition of The Handbook includes an updated section on why long-term management and franchise agreements may now be terminable, with...
COVID-19 Coronavirus as Force Majeure Contract Defense — History and Origins
Jim Butler | March 5, 2020
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 5 March 2020 See how JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® can help you. Click here for the latest articles on the coronavirus and here for the latest on force majeure. In the article below, JMBM partner Mark Adams discusses the coronavirus in relation to force majeure provisions in contracts. This legal concept goes back centuries, but has become increasingly relevant as COVID-19 may be advanced by many in the coming days as a defense to breach of contract. This article is one of a series which will discuss the principles of force majeure ...
