Features

'Frustration' and 'Impossibility': Viable Defenses Amid the Pandemic?
As the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying economic fallout continue to unfold, commercial tenants have increasingly come to rely on the common law doctrines of impossibility of performance and frustration of purpose as defenses to the nonpayment of rent.
Features

Equal Justice Should Apply to All, Including the President's Friends
This article considers certain positions taken by DOJ in cases involving Roger Stone, Michael Flynn and the subpoenas duces tecum issued by the New York District Attorney's Office in connection with its investigation into the Trump Organization.
Features

How U.S. Court Ruled Whether France's Right of Publicity Law Is Descendible
Battles over celebrities' estates often end up in litigation, but a recent court ruling involving the estate of French oceanic explorer, environmentalist and documentary filmmaker Jacques Cousteau included a not-often-seen right of publicity consideration: how a U.S. court determines whether right-of-publicity protection in another nation is descendible.
Features

Defending Attorneys Against Extortion Charges Presents Unique Challenges
Although the criminal prosecution of lawyer misconduct is nothing new, the recent indictment of a plaintiffs' lawyer in Maryland and sentencing of two plaintiffs' lawyers in Virginia illustrate the particular danger to attorneys who arguably cross the line during negotiations with potential litigation counterparties.
Features

Allocation Issues for Settling Weinstein Sex Assault Claims
This article examines the recent judicial dialogue concerning allocation of Weinstein settlement proceeds among Weinstein crime victims, Weinstein Company creditors and defense counsel who have defended the Weinstein corporate officers and directors, and the overall negative impact these various episodes of the Weinstein settlement story likely have on victims' willingness to participate or come forward at all.
Features

Four Class Actions Allege Rent Overcharge Chicanery
On Oct. 29, 2020, a Manhattan real-estate firm filed four separate class-action lawsuits highlighting three different maneuvers landlords used to evade the requirements of a tax-abatement program.
Features

Turn that Frown Upside Down
Using Subchapter V's Unlimited Debt Limit & Confirmation Requirements to Eradicate Personal Guarantees Limitations to Subchapter V suggest that it will be of no use to all but very small companies, but before turning completely away from the topic, there are other considerations in play.
Features

Four Class Actions Allege Rent Overcharge Chicanery
On Oct. 29, 2020, a Manhattan real-estate firm filed four separate class-action lawsuits highlighting three different maneuvers landlords used to evade the requirements of a tax-abatement program.
Features

Transportation Services Agreements At Risk in Chapter 11 Proceedings
In 2020, we've become all too familiar with the struggles of the gas and oil producers upon which many of our most popular industries rely. The resultant surge in restructuring activities, including Chapter 11 proceedings, among gas and oil producers is the highest in years.
Features

Finding Common Ground In Lease Provisions During COVID-19
This article seeks to examine key current issues, and offers practical advice to landlords and tenants seeking common ground to address the ongoing financial toll of the pandemic.
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