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Automobile Lessors Beware: Vicarious Liability in Three States
A Rhode Island Supreme Court decision has caused lessors to think twice about leasing motor vehicles in the State of Rhode Island. In Oliveira v. Lombardi, 794 A.2d 453 (R.I. 2002), the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that two automobile leasing companies may be held vicariously liable under Rhode Island's vicarious liability statutes for the negligence of drivers operating motor vehicles titled in the leasing companies' name.
The court took a somewhat unique position in combining two cases with similar legal and factual issues. The plaintiff in the first case suffered severe injuries when her car was rear-ended by a teenager driving his father's car leased from Chase Manhattan Automotive Finance Corporation, the registered owner of the motor vehicle. In addition to suing the driver's father, the plaintiff sued Chase as the owner/lessor under Rhode Island's vicarious liability statutes. The plaintiff in the second case also suffered severe injuries in an accident involving a leased motor vehicle, but the lessor in this case was Gold Key Lease, Inc. The plaintiff sued the lessee, the third party operator (as permitted by the lease agreement), and Gold Key. Similar to the Chase case, the plaintiff alleged that Gold Key, as the record owner of the vehicle, was subject to Rhode Island's vicarious liability statutes.
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment
On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office
A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.
How AI Has Affected PR
When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later
The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.