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Lead-Paint Claims in VT and GA
Thirty years after its introduction, the absolute pollution exclusion continues to be the subject of vigorous litigation, recently reaching the supreme courts of Vermont and Georgia. In December 2015, the Vermont Supreme Court issued its decision in Whitney v. Vermont Mutual Insurance Co., No. 2015-073, 2015 WL 8540432 (Vt. Dec. 11, 2015), in which it refused to limit the absolute pollution exclusion to “traditional” environmental claims. Many had wondered whether the Georgia Supreme Court would follow suit, which it did in its recent ruling in Georgia Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., No. S15G1177, 2016 WL 1085397 (Ga. Mar. 21, 2016), reaffirming its earlier determination that the exclusion is not subject to a limiting gloss arising out of its original purpose of reinforcing the earlier qualified pollution exclusion. Cf. Reed v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co., 284 Ga. 286 (2008). Indeed, both cases find that the injury-causing agent falls within the definition of a “pollutant.”
1. VT Finds Absolute Pollution Clause Not Inherently Ambiguous
In Whitney v. Vermont Mutual Insurance Co., the Vermont Supreme Court was asked to consider the application of the absolute pollution exclusion to property damage allegedly caused by a pesticide application. The pollution exclusion in Whitney matches the typical one, excluding coverage for “bodily injury” or “property damage” “arising out of the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or escape of 'pollutants,'” which are defined as “any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals and waste.” Whitney v. Vermont Mut. Ins. Co., No. 2015-073, 2015 WL 8540432, *1-2 (Vt. 2015).
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models
Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.
Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge
As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.
Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator
How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.
Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising
The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.
Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality
This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.