Witness to History: 1900
In 1900, Kodak introduced the first Brownie camera, which brought the hobby of photography within financial reach of consumers. The camera sold for $1 and film was 15 cents a roll. Also in 1900, J.W. Schmitt joined the practice that would become Farrish Johnson Law Office. Kodak Brownie Camera Introduced in February of 1900 by Eastman Kodak, the Brownie camera provided low-cost photography to the people. It was produced so inexpensively that anyone, not just professional or wealthy individuals, could own one. For less than $2, anyone could buy the Brownie, a roll of film, and get it processed. It... Read More
Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Repetitive Trauma and Overuse Injuries
If your job requires you to do a lot of repetitive activities, such as gripping tools, reaching for objects, twisting, turning, bending, working overhead, or doing other movements in excess of what you would expect to be doing in your natural environment, you may notice that, over time, your body parts involved in those frequent repetitive activities start becoming painful or difficult to use. For example, you may notice that your right shoulder starts to lose its range of motion or that it is painful to reach overhead, or your back starts bothering you with lifting, or that your knees... Read More
Witness to History: 1975
In 1975, Glen Taylor purchased Carlson Wedding Service, the foundation for what would become Taylor Corporation. Also in that year, Dave Salsbery joined the firm that is now Farrish Johnson Law Office. Taylor Corporation Carlson Wedding Service owner, Bill Carlson, decided to sell the company in preparation for retirement. Glen Taylor had worked with Carlson since 1959 and purchased the business. He founded Taylor Corporation in 1975. Taylor Corporation produces interactive print and marketing solutions and is comprised of more than 80 subsidiaries and employs more than 12,000 people across 25 states, Puerto Rico, and nine foreign countries. Mankato Taylor... Read More
Estate Tax Changes
There have been substantial changes to the Federal estate tax because of recent action by the US Congress. The major change centers on the doubling of the federal estate tax exemption for estate and gift taxes. For 2018, the estate tax exemption has been increased to $11.2 million. However, this increase expires on December 31, 2026 and absent action by Congress, upon expiration, the federal estate tax exemption in effective for 2017 will be reinstated. The doubling of the estate tax exemption will reduce the number of estates that are required to file a Federal 706 estate tax return. Meanwhile,... Read More
Witness to History: 1974
This month in 1974, the majority of Arab oil-producing nations ended their embargo against the United States, marking the end of the 1973 oil crisis. This crisis led to the enactment of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards by Congress in 1975. Also in 1974, Miles Zimmerman, who has worked with the firm since 1952, was appointed District Court Judge of Blue Earth County. End of Oil Embargo The Arab-dominated Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced a decision to cut oil exports to the United States and other nations that provided military aid to Israel in the Yom... Read More
Estate Planning Still Necessary
With the doubling of the Federal estate tax exemption, the number of tax payers required to file a Federal estate tax return will drop substantially. However, estate planning and review of existing plans is important. The most important object of estate planning has always been to provide a thoughtful plan for property distribution, avoiding the arbitrary rules of each state’s intestacy statutes. Minnesota, along with many other states, imposes an estate tax with a far smaller exemption than provided for by the Federal exemption. Many estate plans for married couples routinely used formulas to distribute property between a Marital Trust... Read More
Witness to History: 2016
This week in 2016, President Barack Obama became the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928. In that same year, Joseph Gangi was first selected for inclusion on the Minnesota Rising Stars list published by Super Lawyers®, a Thomas Reuters business. Gangi also received this honor in 2017. President Obama visits Cuba On March 21, 2016 President Obama landed in Cuba for a meeting with Cuban President Raúl Castro, becoming the first U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928. The historic three-day visit included a tour of Old Havana, taking in a baseball game with Raúl Castro, and delivering... Read More
Witness to History: 1945
In 1945, Maud Hart Lovelace published the fifth book in the beloved “Betsy-Tacy” series, “Heaven to Betsy”. Also in 1945, Robert J. Sheran joined the firm. He went on to become one of the most influential lawyers in the history of the state. Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Lovelace Maud Hart Lovelace was born in Mankato in 1892. A writer and poet from an early age, she published her first short story in the Los Angeles Times at age nineteen. She kept diaries and scrapbooks of her childhood adventures with family and friends and these records would become the basis for... Read More
Massive Water Pollution Settlement
In a widely publicized case, 3M agreed to pay the State of Minnesota $850 million to avoid a trial over allegations that 3M contaminated water with perfluorochemicals (PFCs). The settlement is minuscule compared to the billions of dollars sought by the State in actual and punitive damages. Settlement funds could be used for water restoration projects as well as water infrastructure projects, such as new wells or connecting additional homes to municipal water. This settlement does not end 3M’s legal troubles. It faces many other lawsuits seeking to recover for environmental damage. 3M continues to maintain that there is no... Read More
Witness to History: 1926
On this day in 1926, the first transatlantic telephone call was made between London and New York. That same year, Charlotte Farrish, the law office’s namesake, joined the firm and started one of the most celebrated legal careers in the history of Minnesota. First Transatlantic Telephone Call Though France joined to Britain by a telephone cable as far back as 1891, the Atlantic was a far greater challenge. With the state of technology at that time a simple cable link would not work. But the needs of commerce and politics meant that the task would inevitably be mastered. On March... Read More