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An Insurer's Willful or Knowing Violation of Mass. Gen. Law, Ch. 93A, ' 9
Earlier this year, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts issued its much anticipated decision, Rhodes v. AIG Domestic Claims, Inc., 461 Mass. 486 (2012), clarifying the scope of damages when an insurer is found to have willfully or knowingly committed an unfair settlement practice in violation of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 93A, ' 9).
In awarding sanctions totaling $22 million, the court determined that the measure of damages for an insurer's willful or knowing violation of ' 9 of Massachusetts' prohibition of unfair settlement practices must be calculated as a multiple of the underlying tort judgment rather than the actual harm caused by the insurer's conduct. On the other hand, where the underlying tort claim settled prior to entry of a judgment, damages will be determined as a multiple of the actual harm caused by the insurer's violation.
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.
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.
Bit Parts
Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights
Risks of “Baseball Arbitration” in Resolving Real Estate Disputes
“Baseball arbitration” refers to the process used in Major League Baseball in which if an eligible player's representative and the club ownership cannot reach a compensation agreement through negotiation, each party enters a final submission and during a formal hearing each side — player and management — presents its case and then the designated panel of arbitrators chooses one of the salary bids with no other result being allowed. This method has become increasingly popular even beyond the sport of baseball.
Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel
'Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel is a continuation of the discussion of client expectations and the disconnect that often occurs. And although the outside attorneys should be pursuing how inside-counsel actually think, inside counsel should make an effort to impart this information without waiting to be asked.