The Inbox - Sept. 14, 2012

This week in suits by suits:

• On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit heard oral argument in the case brought by Starbucks baristas alleging that the company violated the Massachusetts Tip Law by requiring the baristas to share their tips with shift supervisors .  We reported on this case earlier and will be on the lookout for the First Circuit’s decision.  The key question in the case – whether or not Starbucks shift supervisors have “managerial responsibility” – was argued to the court early on Tuesday.
• The IRS awarded a record $104 million to former UBS employee and whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld, who had previously been convicted of tax fraud for advising UBS clients to avoid paying income taxes.  Birkenfeld's testimony disclosed how UBS was offshoring client assets to evade U.S. income tax; as a result, UBS agreed to pay $780 million in criminal fines and release data for nearly 5,000 accounts.
• Author and playwright David Macaray has written a provocative article for the Huffington Post entitled "The Golden Parachute is Un-American" (and, he also argues, "curious," "bizarre," and "con jobs").

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