Features

Attorney Proffers: Practical Considerations and Some Law Too
Handled with care, an attorney proffer can provide a critical opportunity to gauge a prosecutor's reaction while limiting the risk of compromising the client's potential defense at trial.
Features

Swedish Music Industry Views: Part Two
Among other things, the article discusses the Swedish music industry perspective on the European Union's Copyright Directive, the growth of multi-country music licensing hubs and the impact of Brexit.
Features

Neighbor Standing to Challenge SEQRA Determinations
When does an immediately adjacent neighbor have standing to challenge a SEQRA determination?
Columns & Departments
Landlord & Tenant Law
Lifetime Leasehold Interest Does Not Exempt Apartment from Rent Stabilization Exculpatory Clause Bars Tenant's Claim for Lost Profits Resulting from Landlord's Negligence Landlord's Reliance on Representations of Prior Owners Does Not Preclude Finding That Overcharge Was Willful, Resulting In Treble Damages Tenant's Failure to Pay Rent and Other Charges Forfeits Tenant's Right to Renew Questions of Fact Remain About Tenants Liability for Holdover Charges Tenant's Proposed Withdrawal of Application for Loft Board Coverage Void As Against Public Policy
Columns & Departments
Real Property Law
Purchaser Who Did Not Record Until After Notice of Pendency In Foreclosure Action Not Entitled to Intervene Recording of Senior Mortgage Put Junior Mortgagee on Constructive Notice Issues of Fact Preclude Summary Judgment on Easement Claims Purchaser's Claim for Damages Against Dual Agent Broker Survives Summary Judgment Title Insurance Regulations Upheld
Features

Agency: A New Frontier for FCPA Jurisdiction
The Hoskins case highlighted the manner by which the DOJ (and the SEC, which has civil enforcement jurisdiction under the FCPA) can harness the common-law doctrine of agency to expand the reach of the statute.
Features

Lessor Repossession of Property on Eve of Lessee Bankruptcy
Voluntary Turnover or Face Contempt Lessors who repossess property immediately prior to a lessee bankruptcy filing may be required to return such property or face sanctions by the bankruptcy court. Federal courts are currently split on the issue of whether the lessor must voluntary surrender property seized petition or may hold such property until such time as the debtor seeks, and obtains, an order of turnover.
Features

You Know What It Is: Taco Tuesday and the Failure-to-Function Doctrine In Trademark Law
The foundational requirement that a trademark function as a trademark has received little attention in the case law. More recently, however, there has been an apparent uptick in scrutiny of trademark use by the USPTO and TTAB, as well as fresh academic attention paid to the issue.
Features

SEC Proposes Changes to Accredited Investor Definition
Real estate syndication offerings often rely on Rule 506 of Regulation D to exempt such offerings from registration under the Securities Act. Rule 506 requires that, with certain limited exceptions, purchasers of the securities offered are limited to accredited investors. Amendments proposed by the SEC in December modify certain of the existing categories of accredited investors and create certain new categories.
Features

In the Wake of Shields: Broader Implications for Decision on Commercial Landlord Liability
The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently revisited an oft-contested issue in the area of premises liability: whether a commercial landlord owes a duty to its tenant's business invitees to maintain the premises, under a triple net lease, where the tenant is in exclusive possession of the demised premises.
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MOST POPULAR STORIES
- The 'Sophisticated Insured' DefenseA majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.Read More ›
- A Lawyer's System for Active ReadingActive reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.Read More ›
- The Brave New World of Cybersecurity Due Diligence in Mergers and Acquisitions: Pitfalls and OpportunitiesLike poorly-behaved school children, new technologies and intellectual property (IP) are increasingly disrupting the M&A establishment. Cybersecurity has become the latest disruptive newcomer to the M&A party.Read More ›
- Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric CodeIn an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.Read More ›
- Guidance on Distributions As 'Disbursements' and U.S. Trustee FeesIn a recent case from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, In re Paragon Offshore PLC, the bankruptcy court provided guidance on whether a post-plan effective date litigation trust's distributions constituted disbursements subject to the U.S. Trustee fee "tax."Read More ›