NAFTA Renegotiation: Fourth Round
November 02, 2017
<b><i>Difficulty Making Headway on Thorny Issues</i></b><p>As the fourth round of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico drew to a close on Oct.17, the parties opted to push back the starting date of the fifth round until mid-November to allow the negotiators more time to work on the most controversial issues that remain to be addressed. This article explains the issues.
Increased Scrutiny for <i>Cy Pres</i> Provisions in Class Action Settlements
November 02, 2017
Lawsuits against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers often come in the form of class actions, and sometimes the settlement or award amount exceeds the identified class members' claim amounts. In such cases, the excess funds may be distributed to a <i>cy pres</i> recipient, but courts are starting to question such moves more thoroughly.
Adult Use Zoning in New York
November 02, 2017
New York City's 2001 ordinance regulating adult uses has been the subject of litigation for more than 15 years. In September, the Court of Appeals put an apparent end to the litigation by denying reargument of its June decision upholding the ordinance.
Engaging Lawyers in a Follow-Up Initiative: A Case Study
November 02, 2017
A look at a recent group coaching initiative at a major law firm. Having had success with group coaching in the past, the CMO established a six-month pilot program and chose eight attorneys to participate. Here's what happened.
After a Hurricane: Can the Property Manager Be Blamed for a Lessee's Losses?
November 02, 2017
The recent decision in <i>Sears Roebuck & Co. and Kmart Corp. v. W/S Lebanon LLC</i> seems timely in light of the fact that commercial landlords, tenants and their insurance providers are grappling with the problems caused by the extreme wind and rain of hurricanes. Here's what happened in that case.
New-Wave Legal Challenges for Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies
November 02, 2017
As the adoption of cryptocurrencies spreads throughout the business and financial sectors, so too do the concerns that lack of regulation render the new-age currency susceptible to fraud, manipulation, and to being used as a vehicle for money laundering. Nevertheless, recent efforts by U.S. enforcement agencies to apply and enforce financial regulations mean greater scrutiny than ever before.
Laterals: When Is the Best Time to Make a Move?
November 02, 2017
If you are a partner considering a lateral move, then you are probably focused on the boost a new firm could offer your practice, and on cultural fit. However, the authors' review of the 2,353 partners who moved between Am Law 100 firms in 2010 through 2012 suggests that some more prosaic factors matter too.
The New Patent Venue Regime
November 02, 2017
Venue in patent cases lies "in the judicial district where the defendant resides, or where the defendant has committed acts of infringement and has a regular and established place of business." Since 1990, the Federal Circuit interpreted the term "resides" coextensively with the general venue statute such that patent venue lay where the defendant was subject to personal jurisdiction. But this year, the Supreme Court greatly narrowed that definition in <i>TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods</i>. The Federal Circuit, in turn, interpreted the newly-relevant alternative phrase. After two decades of relaxed patent venue rules, these decisions work a seismic shift in patent litigation.
The Food Safety Modernization Act
November 02, 2017
<b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</i></b><p>By being proactive in adopting safe food processing operations, such companies hope to protect their reputation and business from the negative publicity and possible financial disaster arising from the sale of contaminated food and non-compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
