In the Courts
January 01, 2017
A jury in the Southern District of Texas awarded over $92 million in damages to the United States in a case against mortgage lenders who fraudulently granted and underwrote loans insured by the Federal Housing Authority and then reaped massive payouts when those loans went into default.
What Lawyers Can Learn from Uber, Redux
January 01, 2017
Lawyers need to know what the client wants and how to get them there before the process starts. Just like a driver who doesn't know exactly where he's taking his riders, a lawyer who isn't totally sure what a client wants — let alone how to get them there efficiently and effectively — is likely to end up with a client who is disgruntled.
Liability Exposure When Experts Flub
January 01, 2017
In civil litigation, when retained or testifying experts err materially, causing a case or settlement loss, do they get some kind of immunity so that access to experts is not "chilled" by allowing experts to be sued frequently? The answer to this question is not so easy.<p><b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</b></i>
'Potential Client' Conflict Issues
January 01, 2017
Continuing the discussion of matrimonial client "conflict checks" — the exercise attorneys must go through with each new potential client, to make sure that the representation will not conflict with work the attorney is doing or has done for a current or former client. <p><b><i>Part Two of a Three-Part Article</b></i>
Equipment Financing Is on the Rise
January 01, 2017
According to the recently released U.S. Equipment Finance Market Study 2016-2017, conducted for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, 78% of respondents used at least one form of financing when acquiring equipment in FY 2015. This is up from 72% of respondents from the previous Foundation market study released in 2012, and represents an increase in the overall propensity to finance.
Landlord & Tenant
January 01, 2017
A look at a case in which stipulation of a settlement in a nonpayment proceeding estopped a landlord from collecting rent after the tenant surrendered possession.
Bit Parts
January 01, 2017
Agreement for Handing Sale of Ben E. King's Copyright Interests Ruled Invalid Due To Termination Notices Issue<br>Oregon Federal Court Makes It Difficult to Be Awarded Attorney Fees When Pursuing Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Defendants
Med Mal News
January 01, 2017
In Florida, suicide is no longer singled out as outside of a doctor's influence.
The Human Factor In Information Security
January 01, 2017
No one can deny that cyberattacks are the new norm. Such risks will increasingly challenge our ability to operate our businesses. In the world of cybercrime, everyone — from individuals to nation-states — is a target. However, some targets are more alluring than others.
Design Patent Damage Awards
January 01, 2017
<b><i>Rotten for Apple</b></i><p>On Dec. 6, 2017, the United States Supreme Court, hearing its first design patent case in over 120 years, unanimously threw away a $400 million award that Apple won against Samsung Electronics. In doing so, the justices interpreted an 1887 statute providing that it is unlawful to manufacture or sell an "article of manufacture" that a patented design or colorable imitation has been applied.